Operating system for an architectural covering

ABSTRACT

An operating system for an architectural covering is provided. The operating system allows at least three modes of operation of an architectural covering. A transmission may be included between an input assembly and an output drive member, and the transmission may be selectively engaged to place the operating system into one of the at least three modes of operation. The operating system may include a first drive section including an input, a second drive section including an output, and a control mechanism arranged to selectively lock an element of the first and second drive sections to control movement of the output of the operating system upon actuation of the input. A shift lock is also disclosed herein. In use, the shift lock operates to restrict shifting operation of the operating system from one operating mode to another.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationSer. No. 62/413,301, filed Oct. 26, 2016, titled “Operating System foran Architectural Covering”, and claims priority to U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application Ser. No. 62/452,404, filed Jan. 31, 2017, titled“Operating System for an Architectural Covering”, and claims priority toU.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/530,516, filed Jul. 10,2017, titled “Operating System for an Architectural Covering”, theentirety of which applications is incorporated by reference herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to architectural coverings, andmore specifically to an operating system for an architectural covering.

BACKGROUND

Architectural coverings, such as coverings for structures, includingwalls, and openings, such as windows, doorways, archways, and the like,have taken numerous forms for many years. Some coverings include aretractable shade material that is movable between various positions orconfigurations, such as between an extended position and a retractedposition. Additionally or alternatively, the shade material may be movedbetween an open configuration in which a portion of the shade materialis operated to allow viewing through the shade material, and a closedconfiguration in which a portion of the shade material is operated toblock viewing through the shade material. To move the shade materialbetween positions or configurations, some coverings include an operatingsystem. Some operating systems use a retractable cord mechanism tooperate the operating system of the window shade or shading, therebyeliminating long, dangling cords and providing a relatively constantcord length. The retractable cord mechanism of some coverings may beoperated (e.g., reciprocally pulled and automatically retracted, whichalternatively may be referenced as “pumped” for the sake of conveniencewithout intent to limit) by a user to move the shade material into oneor more directions or configurations, such as to retract the shadematerial, to alternately retract and extend the shade material, or toboth close and retract the shade material. Some operating systems allowthe shade material or shading (such terms may be used interchangeablyherein without intent to limit) to gravity drop under its own weight toextend the shade material across an architectural structure/feature.Some coverings include a separate mechanism biasing the shade materialto open (e.g., automatically) upon the shade material reaching the fullyextended configuration.

BRIEF SUMMARY

The present disclosure generally provides an operating system for anarchitectural covering that offers improvements or an alternative toexisting arrangements. The operating system may be coupled to a shadematerial to facilitate operation of the architectural covering, such asfacilitating movement of the shade material across or within anarchitectural structure or opening. The operating system may be operatedby a user in two or more manners, such as three manners, to extend,open, and retract/close the shade material in relation to anarchitectural structure/feature. In one example, the operating systemmay selectively allow the shade material to gravity drop across anarchitectural structure/feature. Once extended, the operating system maybe operated (e.g., reciprocally operated and automatically reset) toopen the shade material via a retractable cord mechanism operated by auser. The retractable cord mechanism may also be operated by a user toclose and/or to retract the shade material. In one embodiment, theoperating system includes a control mechanism movable to change therotation direction of a drive member. The control mechanism mayalternately engage different components of the operating system, such asdifferent components of a transmission, to alter the operation of theoperating system. In one embodiment, the control mechanism is arrangedto selectively lock a shared element between a plurality of drivesections of the transmission to control movement of the transmission andtherefore rotation of the drive member.

This summary of the disclosure is given to aid understanding, and one ofskill in the art will understand that each of the various aspects andfeatures of the disclosure may advantageously be used separately in someinstances, or in combination with other aspects and features of thedisclosure in other instances. Accordingly, while the disclosure ispresented in terms of embodiments, it should be appreciated thatindividual aspects of any embodiment can be claimed separately or incombination with aspects and features of that embodiment or any otherembodiment. The present disclosure of certain embodiments is merelyexemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the claimedinvention or its applications or uses. It is to be understood that otherembodiments may be utilized and that structural and/or logical changesmay be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the presentdisclosure.

The present disclosure is set forth in various levels of detail in thisapplication and no limitation as to the scope of the claimed subjectmatter is intended by either the inclusion or non-inclusion of elements,components, or the like in this summary. In certain instances, detailsthat are not necessary for an understanding of the disclosure or thatrender other details difficult to perceive may have been omitted.Moreover, for the purposes of clarity, detailed descriptions of certainfeatures will not be discussed when they would be apparent to those withskill in the art so as not to obscure the description of the presentdisclosure. It should be understood that the claimed subject matter isnot necessarily limited to the particular embodiments or arrangementsillustrated herein, and the scope of the present disclosure is definedonly by the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated into and constitute apart of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the presentdisclosure by way of illustration only and, together with the generaldescription above and the detailed description below, serve to explainthe principles of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a front left isometric view of an operating system inaccordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a front left exploded view of the operating system of FIG. 1in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of an output carrier in accordance with anembodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of an input gear in accordance with anembodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of an overrunning gear in accordance with anembodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a rear right exploded view of the operating system of FIG. 1in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the operating system of FIG. 1 takenalong line VII-VII of FIG. 1 in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of a gear set of theoperating system of FIG. 1 taken along line VIII-VIII of FIG. 2 inaccordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the operating system of FIG. 1 takenalong line IX-IX of FIG. 7 and showing operation of a first gear systemin accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the operating system of FIG. 1taken along line X-X of FIG. 7 and showing operation of a second gearsystem in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the operating system of FIG. 1taken along line XI-XI of FIG. 7 and showing engagement of a gear setwith a drive member in accordance with an embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the operating system of FIG. 1taken along line XII-XII of FIG. 7 and showing a shifter in a firstoperating position in accordance with an embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the operating system of FIG. 1taken along line XIII-XIII of FIG. 7 and showing a shifter in a secondoperating position in accordance with an embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the operating system of FIG. 1taken along line XIV-XIV of FIG. 7 and showing a shifter in a secondoperating position in accordance with an embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 15 is an enlarged fragmentary view of FIG. 14 and showing anoverrunning gear channel of the operating system of FIG. 1 in accordancewith an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 16 is an additional cross-sectional view of an overrunning gearchannel of the operating system of FIG. 1 taken along line XVI-XVI ofFIG. 9 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the operating system of FIG. 1associated with a shade element in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 17 taken along lineXVIII-XVIII and showing the shade element in a retracted configurationin accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 17 taken along line XIX-XIXand showing the shade element in an extended, closed configuration inaccordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 17 taken along line XX-XX andshowing the shade element in an extended, open configuration inaccordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 21 is a partially exploded view of an additional operating systemin accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view of the operating system of FIG. 21 inaccordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 23 is a schematic representation of an additional operating systemin accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 24 is a schematic representation of an additional operating systemin accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 25 is a partially exploded front view of an additional operatingsystem in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 26 is a partially exploded rear view of the operating system ofFIG. 25 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 27 is a rear elevation view of the operating system of FIG. 25showing a shift lock feature or mechanism in a first configuration inaccordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The end cap istransparent for illustrative purposes.

FIG. 28 is a rear elevation view of the operating system of FIG. 25showing the shift lock in a second configuration in accordance with anembodiment of the present disclosure. The end cap is transparent forillustrative purposes.

FIG. 29 is a rear elevation view of the operating system of FIG. 25showing the shift lock in a third configuration in accordance with anembodiment of the present disclosure. The end cap is transparent forillustrative purposes.

FIG. 30 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view taken along lineXXX-XXX of FIG. 25 in accordance with an embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 31 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view taken along lineXXXI-XXXI of FIG. 27 in accordance with an embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 32 is a front elevation view of the operating system of FIG. 25 inaccordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 33 is a perspective view of an obstruction element according to analternative embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 34 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XXXIV-XXXIV of FIG.33 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 35 is a partially exploded view of an additional operating systemin accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure, anoperating system is provided to move an associated covering or coveringmaterial, which alternatively may be referenced as “shade” for the sakeof convenience without intent to limit, to a user-desired position. Forinstance, the operating system may move an associated covering betweenan extended position in which the covering at least partially covers anassociated architectural structure/feature (e.g., a window, doorway,archway, or the like), and a retracted position in which the covering isat least partially retracted across the architectural structure/feature.In addition, the operating system may be operable to open and/or closethe covering, such as opening or closing portions of the covering suchas operable vanes of the covering, once the covering is positioned in adesired position across the architectural structure/feature, such as inan extended or retracted position.

To control operation of the operating system, the operating system maybe provided with a control mechanism which may be operated to cause theoperating system to switch between different operating modes (e.g.,between two, three, or more operating modes). In one embodiment, theoperating system switches between more than two operating modes. In oneembodiment, the control mechanism alternately engages differentcomponents of the operating system, such as different components of atransmission, to shift the operating system between operating modes. Forexample, in a first operating mode, the operating system operates toclose and/or to retract the covering. In a second operating mode, theoperating system operates to allow the covering to extend across anarchitectural structure/feature, such as automatically under the forceof gravity. In a third operating mode, the operating system operates toopen the covering, such as opening operational elements (e.g., vanes) ofthe covering, such as once the covering is in an extended position. Thevarious operating modes may be effected such as by engagement ordisengagement of the control mechanism with at least a portion of thetransmission. Further, in addition or alternatively, the variousoperating modes may be effected by engaging or disengaging differentsections of the transmission. In one embodiment, the second operatingmode is effected by disengagement of the control mechanism from thetransmission. In one embodiment, the first operating mode is effected byengagement of the control mechanism with a first component of thetransmission. In one embodiment, the third operating mode is effected byengagement of the control mechanism with a second component of thetransmission. Depending on the position of the control mechanism, thetransmission may operably move (e.g., rotate, lift, open, close, etc.)the covering, such as by rotating a rotatable element or tube in one oftwo directions. In at least one embodiment, the transmission may providedifferent drive ratios depending on the mode of operation to correspondwith the operational needs of the operating system, such as closing,retracting, and/or opening an associated covering. For instance, in oneembodiment, opening of the covering is effected by rotation of the drivemember in the same direction as rotation for extending the covering.However, a finer control of the movement in the extension direction maybe desirable in controlling elements of the covering (such as vanes) tomove the extended covering into an open configuration.

As explained herein, the control mechanism is operable to controlmovement of the transmission to provide a desired output. For instance,the transmission may be driven by an input, the input always rotating inthe same direction (e.g., in a first direction). Depending on theselective engagement of the control mechanism with different componentsof the transmission, the rotation direction of the transmission's outputmay be the same as the input, different from the input, controlled bythe input, or free from control of the input (e.g., freely rotating withrespect to input). This characteristic may be effected by theinteraction of two or more drive sections with one another. In oneembodiment, the input to the operating system is associated with a firstdrive section of the transmission. In one embodiment, the output of theoperating system is associated with a second drive section of thetransmission. As explained herein, controlling at least a portion of oneof the drive sections (e.g., via the control mechanism) controls theother section(s) linked thereto, thereby affecting the output of theoperating system upon actuation of the input.

According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, illustratedin the accompanying figures in which reference numbers are used forconvenience and to assist in understanding without intent to limit, anoperating system 100 is provided, which may be used in association withan architectural covering 102. The architectural covering 102 may bemoved between retracted and extended configurations by rotation of adrive member, such as a roller shade moved upon rotation of a rollertube (see FIGS. 17-20, for example). The operating system 100 in oneembodiment includes a housing 104, an input assembly 106 (which may bereferenced as a retractable cord mechanism or cord reel in someembodiments), a rotatable drive member 108, a directional controlmechanism 110, and a transmission 112 configured to rotate the drivemember 108 upon actuation of the input assembly 106. As explained below,the drive member 108 may rotate in either a first direction E or asecond opposite direction R depending on the position of the directionalcontrol mechanism 110, rotation of the drive member 108 moving thecovering 102 in relation to an architectural structure/feature, such ascausing the covering 102 to extend, retract, open, and/or close. Forexample, in one embodiment, the directional control mechanism 110 mayselectively engage a first component 120 of the transmission 112 (seeFIG. 6) to achieve a first function of the operating system 100, such ascausing the operating system 100 to operate in a first manner, which mayretract the covering 102 at least partially across an architecturalstructure/feature (e.g., across a window, door, archway, or the like)and/or close associated vanes 122 of the covering 102 (see FIGS. 18 and19) upon rotation of the drive member 108 in the second direction R.Similarly, the directional control mechanism 110 may selectively engagea second component 124 of the transmission 112 (see FIG. 6) to achieve asecond function of the operating system 100, such as causing theoperating system 100 to operate in a second manner to extend thecovering 102 at least partially across the architecturalstructure/feature (see FIG. 19) upon rotation of the drive member 108 inthe first direction E. Additionally or alternately, selective engagementof the directional control mechanism 110 with the second component 124of the transmission 112 may achieve a third function of the operatingsystem 100, such as causing the operating system 100 to operate in athird manner to open the vanes 122 of the covering 102 (see FIG. 20)upon rotation of the drive member 108 in the first direction E. Asdetailed below, the directional control mechanism 110 may allow a userto select the desired operating mode of the operating system 100 toposition the covering 102 as desired. For instance, the directionalcontrol mechanism 110 may include a shifter 118 (or other component ofthe operating system 100 for shifting operation of the operating system100 from one operating mode to another) movable to alternately engagethe first and second components 120, 124 of the transmission 112 toselectively control operation of the operating system 100 to achieve adesired positioning of the covering 102, as explained below.Alternatively, as will be described in greater detail below, in oneembodiment, the shifter 118 may engage with a portion of a first drivesection 164. Engagement of the shifter 118 with a portion of the firstdrive section 164 (e.g., with a first member 160 of the first drivesection 164) may limit rotational movement of a portion of the firstdrive section 164 (e.g., the first member 160) to permit operation ofthe second drive section 165 to close the covering 102 and/or to retractthe covering 102 across an architectural structure/feature. Similarly,engagement of the shifter 118 with a second portion of the transmission112 (e.g., with a second member 162 of the second drive section 165) maylimit rotational movement of a second portion of the transmission 112(e.g., the second member 162) to permit operation of the second drivesection 165 to extend the covering 102 across the architecturalstructure/feature and/or open the covering 102 (e.g., opening the vanes122 of the covering 102).

In one embodiment, illustrated in FIGS. 2, 6, and 17, the drive member108 may be configured to transmit movement and/or torque from thetransmission 112 to the covering 102. For example, the drive member 108may be arranged to engage a shade element, such as via a shade orcovering winding member, such as a roller tube 136 (see FIG. 17) orother functionally similar element. In such embodiments, thetransmission 112 may be arranged to rotate the drive member 108 tocontrol operation of the covering 102. For instance, the transmission112 may rotate the drive member 108 to extend the covering 102 at leastpartially across an architectural structure/feature, retract thecovering 102 at least across the architectural structure/feature, and/oropen and/or close the covering 102 as desired. For example, as explainedin detail below, rotation of the drive member 108 may cause the covering102 to move to a first position in which the covering 102 is fullyextended and closed (see FIG. 19). Once the covering 102 is in the firstposition, rotation of the drive member 108, such as in the firstdirection E, may cause the covering 102 to move to a second position inwhich the covering 102 is extended and open (see FIG. 20). For instance,rotation of the drive member 108 in the first direction E once thecovering 102 is extended may open the vanes 122 of the covering 102,such as by creating a gap 146 between two adjacent vanes 122 by movingthe vanes 122 relative to each other, such as by moving a vane material142 relative to a support sheet 140. If desired, the drive member 108may be rotated in an opposite direction, such as in the second directionR, to decrease the gap(s) 146 to close the vanes 122 to reduce oreliminate viewing between the vanes 122 (sometimes referred to asview-through) and position the covering 102 in the first position. Oncethe covering 102 is closed, the drive member 108 may be rotated in thesecond direction R via the transmission 112 to position the covering 102in a third position in which the covering 102 is at least partiallyretracted (see FIG. 18), as explained more fully below.

In one embodiment, illustrated in FIGS. 18-20, the drive member 108 maybe sized and shaped to engage a portion of a roller tube 136, such asthrough an interference or friction fit. The drive member 108 may beformed as a hollow cylindrical member defined by a cylindrical tube 130extending a length L from an end wall 132 and terminating at a flaredflange 134 (see FIG. 2). To drivingly rotate the roller tube 136, forinstance, the drive member 130 may include a plurality of longitudinalribs 138 extending radially away from, and along the length L of, thecylindrical tube 130 to frictionally engage or interlock with an innersurface of the roller tube 136 (see FIG. 18, for instance). In thismanner, rotation of the drive member 108 via the transmission 112 mayrotate the roller tube 136 in a corresponding manner. In suchembodiments, the covering 102 may be coupled with the roller tube 136such that the covering 102 wraps about, or unwraps from, the roller tube136 upon rotation of the roller tube 136 in the second and firstdirections R, E, respectively, via the drive member 108 (see FIGS.17-20). Though described in association with a roller shade, theoperating system 100 may be associated with other covering types,including stacking and vertical shades or coverings. In suchembodiments, the operating system 100 may be operable to extend,retract, open, and/or close the various coverings in a manner similar tothat described below, which is presented for illustrative purposeswithout intent to limit.

To permit the various operation modes of the operating system 100, thetransmission 112 may include one or more drive sections, such as firstand second drive sections 164, 165, operably coupled together (see FIGS.2, 6, and 7) yet individually controlled by the directional controlmechanism 110. For example, as described more fully below, the first andsecond drive sections 164, 165 may include parts which are selectivelyengaged by the directional control mechanism 110 to alter rotation ofthe drive member 108. As explained below, actuation of the inputassembly 106 actuates the first and second drive sections 164, 165 toallow the drive member 108 to rotate to either retract, extend, close,or open the covering 102 depending on the position of the shifter 118.For example, in one embodiment, as previously mentioned and as explainedin greater detail below, the directional control mechanism 110 mayinclude a shifter 118 to selectively engage a first component 120 of thetransmission 112 (see FIG. 6) to achieve a first function of theoperating system 100, or a second component 124 of the transmission 112(see FIG. 6) to achieve a second function of the operating system 100.Alternatively, in another embodiment, as explained more fully below, theshifter 118 may engage with a portion of the first drive section 164.Engagement of the shifter 118 with a portion of the first drive section164 (e.g., with a first member 160 of the first drive section 164) maylimit rotational movement of a portion of the first drive section 164(e.g., the first member 160) to permit operation of the second drivesection 165 to close the covering 102 and/or to retract the covering 102across an architectural structure/feature. Similarly, engagement of theshifter 118 with a second portion of the transmission 112 (e.g., with asecond member 162 of the second drive section 165) may limit rotationalmovement of a second portion of the transmission 112 (e.g., the secondmember 162) to permit operation of the second drive section 165 toextend the covering 102 across the architectural structure/featureand/or open the covering 102 (e.g., opening the vanes 122 of thecovering 102). In some embodiments, the transmission 112 may be aplanetary gear system, each of the first and second drive sections 164,165 constituting a planetary gear set, though any other configuration iscontemplated permitting operation of the operating system 100 describedherein. In one embodiment, the transmission 112 (e.g., the first andsecond drive sections 164, 165) may be concentrically mounted within thedrive member 108 along a rotational axis A, which may correspond to theaxis of rotation of the roller tube 136 (see FIGS. 2 and 7).

Each of the first and second drive sections 164, 165 may include one ormore elements arranged for compact movement within the operating system100 and/or for selective engagement with the directional controlmechanism 110. For example, in one embodiment, each of the first andsecond drive sections 164, 165 includes an input element and an outputelement, the output element operably controlled by the input element,such as via one or more elements positioned operably between the inputand output elements. In such embodiments, the directional controlmechanism 110 may selectively lock one or more elements of the firstand/or second drive sections 164, 165 against rotation to control theoutput direction of the first and/or second drive sections 164, 165. Forinstance, in one embodiment, the first member 160 includes an exteriorperiphery 174 defining an engagement profile 176, the directionalcontrol mechanism 110 (e.g., the shifter 118) operable to selectivelyengage the engagement profile 176 to selectively control rotation of thefirst member 160 and therefore movement of the first drive section 164,as detailed herein. Similarly, the second member 162 may include anexterior periphery 212 defining an engagement profile 214, thedirectional control mechanism 110 (e.g., the shifter 118) operable toselectively engage the engagement profile 214 to selectively controlrotation of the second member 162 and therefore movement of the seconddrive section 165, as detailed below.

In one embodiment, the first drive section 164 of transmission 112 has afirst member 160 which includes a first base 166 and a hollow,cylindrical first tube 168 extending from the first base 166 a firstlength L₁ (see FIGS. 2 and 6). The first base 166 includes opposingfirst and second surfaces 170, 172 slidable against other elements ofthe operating system 100 (e.g., slidable against the second member 162and slidable against a portion of the housing 104, respectively). Insome embodiments, the first base 166 defines the engagement profile 176with which the directional control mechanism 110 (e.g., the shifter 118)is selectively engaged to control rotation of the first member 160. Theengagement profile 176 may be a toothed or step profile defined by aplurality of projections 178 extending radially away from the first base166, though other shapes and configurations are contemplated to achievethe purposes explained below. The projections 178 may be sized andshaped to extend coextensively with the first and/or second surfaces170, 172 of the first base 166. The first tube 168 may include interiorand exterior surfaces 180, 190 (see FIGS. 2 and 6, respectively)slidable against other elements of the operating system 100 (e.g.,slidable against a portion of the housing 104 and slidable against aninterior portion of the second member 162, respectively, as explainedbelow) during operation, as explained below. In one embodiment, aplurality of posts 192 may extend from a terminal end 194 of the firsttube 168, for instance, to associate the first member 160 with otherelements of the first drive section 164, as more fully explained below.

The second member 162 may be arranged and shaped similar to the firstmember 160 for similar purposes. Namely, the second member 162 mayinclude a second base 196 and a hollow, cylindrical second tube 198extending from the second base 196 a second length L₂, the second base196 and second tube 198 slidable against the first base 166 and thefirst tube 168, respectively, of the first member 160. The second base196 may also include a first surface 200 and an opposing second surface210, the exterior periphery 212 defined therebetween to allow smoothrotation of the second member 162 with respect to other elements of theoperating system 100 (e.g., with respect to a portion of the housing 104and with respect to the first member 160, respectively. In someembodiments, the second base 196 defines the engagement profile 214 withwhich the directional control mechanism 110 (e.g., the shifter 118) isselectively engaged to control rotation of the second member 162. Theengagement profile 214 of the second member 162 may be defined by aplurality of gear teeth 216 extending radially away from the second base196, such as extending coextensively with the first and/or secondsurfaces 200, 210 of the second base 196.

Though the operating system 100 may take on substantially any suitableconfiguration, the different components of the transmission 112 may benested together in embodiments wherein compactness is a desiredcharacteristic. For example, the first member 160 and/or the secondmember 162 may be configured such that at least a portion of the firstmember 160 (e.g., the first tube 168) may be rotatably received at leastpartially within the second tube 198 of the second member 162 (see FIG.7). In such embodiments, the second tube 198 may define a two-partinterior surface 220. For instance, with reference to FIG. 8, theinterior surface 220 of the second tube 198 may include a gear surface222 and a smooth surface 224 to engage the transmission 112 and thefirst member 160, respectively. The smooth surface 224 may slide againstthe exterior surface 190 of the first tube 168 and may be sized toaccommodate the first tube 168. The length L of the drive member 108 maybe greater than the second length L₂ of the second tube 198 to concealand to protect the transmission 112.

In some embodiments, the transmission 112 may be arranged to providevariable control of the drive member 108 and therefore the covering 102to match the operational needs (e.g., torque, speed, etc.) of theoperating system 100 to achieve a desired function (e.g., closing,retracting, and/or opening the covering 102, among others). For example,the transmission 112 may provide various mechanical advantages orcontrol, such as two or more drive ratios, depending on whether thecovering 102 is being retracted or opened. In such embodiments, thevarious mechanical advantages may provide a desired operational speed orefficiency of the operating system 100, such as increased control forfine adjustments of the covering 102 (e.g., in opening the covering 102)and/or increased speed for mass adjustments of the covering 102 (e.g.,in retracting the covering 102). For instance, the transmission 112 maybe arranged to provide a relatively high mechanical advantage (e.g., afirst drive or gear ratio) rotating the drive member 108 in the firstdirection E to extend and/or open the covering 102, and a relatively lowmechanical advantage (e.g., a second drive or gear ratio) rotating thedrive member 108 in the second direction R to retract and/or close thecovering 102. The drive ratios may be defined by the ratio of the numberof rotations of an input mechanism (e.g., the input assembly 106) to thenumber of rotations of the output (e.g., the drive member 108) duringthe same time period. The first drive ratio may be higher than thesecond drive ratio to at least provide the necessary torque and/or adesired speed to respectively open and retract the covering 102. In someembodiments, the first drive ratio may be between about 5:1 and about10:1, and may be preferably about 8:1 to allow for fine adjustment ofthe covering 102 in situations wherein operating speed is not as much ofa concern (e.g., fine adjustment in opening the covering 102) and/orwherein relative ease (e.g., a low amount of force) is desired tooperate the covering 102. In such embodiments, the second drive ratiomay be between about 1:1 and about 5:1, and may be preferably about 3:1to limit the input force necessary to retract the covering 102 yet notretract the covering 102 too slowly to be a nuisance. The transmission112 may be configured to balance the needs of the operating system 100based on a particular shade configuration (e.g., heavy vs. lightweightshade, speed vs. light lifting force, etc.). For example, thetransmission 112 may be configured to provide drive ratios tailored tocustomer needs and desires and/or for varying configurations of thecovering 102. For example, coverings of increased weight and/or rollingresistance may require drive ratios with increased mechanical advantage,or vice-versa.

In non-exclusive embodiments, wherein the first drive section 164includes a planetary gear set, the first drive section 164 may include afirst sun gear 244, and a first set of planetary gears 246 meshinglyengaged with the first sun gear 244 and carried by a first carrier 248positioning the first set of planetary gears 246 about the first sungear 244. For example, the first carrier 248, which may be defined by,such as formed as part of, the first member 160, may include a pluralityof posts, such as posts 192, spaced circumferentially about the firstsun gear 244. In such embodiments, the first set of planetary gears 246may each rotate on a post 192 as the first sun gear 244 rotates relativeto the first carrier 248. As described below, in some embodiments, thefirst set of planetary gears 246 may also be rotatably mounted on posts250 extending from a transfer member 252 operably connecting the firstdrive section 164 to the second drive section 165. By rotatably mountingthe first set of planetary gears 246 on the posts 192 of the firstcarrier 248 and the posts 250 of the transfer member 252, the transfermember 252 and the first carrier 248 (first member 160) may rotate (orbe held stationary) together to transfer motion between the first andsecond drive sections 164, 165, as described below. As explained morefully below, the first sun gear 244 may be rotationally driven by aninput mechanism, such as the input assembly 106. In such embodiments,actuation of the input mechanism, such as rotation of the input assembly106 in one embodiment, may rotate the first sun gear 244, which in turncauses corresponding rotation of the first set of planetary gears 246about their individual axes. Depending on the position of thedirectional control mechanism 110, the first carrier 248, and thereforethe first set of planetary gears 246, may or may not orbit or revolveabout the first sun gear 244. For example, selective engagement of theshifter 118 with the first member 160 (e.g., with the engagement profile176 of the first member 160) limits rotation of the first member 160,which carries the first set of planetary gears 246, thereby causing thefirst set of planetary gears 246 to be limited to rotate only abouttheir individual axes (and not to revolve about the first sun gear 244)upon rotation of the first sun gear 244.

Similarly, the second drive section 165 may include a second sun gear260, and a second set of planetary gears 262 meshingly engaged with thesecond sun gear 260 and carried by a second carrier 264 positioning thesecond set of planetary gears 262 about the second sun gear 260. Thesecond carrier 264 may include a plurality of posts 266 spacedcircumferentially about the second sun gear 260, and each of the secondset of planetary gears 262 may rotate on a post 266 as the second sungear 260 rotates relative to the second carrier 264. As explained morefully below, the second sun gear 260 may be rotationally driven by aninput mechanism, such as by an output of the first drive section 164,such as by the transfer member 252. To allow forces to be transmittedbetween the first and second drive sections 164, 165, the second sungear 260 and the transfer member 252 rotate together, such as beingmolded or formed as a single element. In such embodiments, rotation ofthe input mechanism rotates the second sun gear 260, which in turncauses corresponding rotation of the second set of planetary gears 262about their individual axes. Depending on the selective engagement ofthe shifter 118 with either the first or second member 160 or 162, thesecond set of planetary gears 262 may walk (alternately, “orbit” or“revolve”, any of these terms usable interchangeably without limitation)about the second sun gear 260 in either the first or second direction Eor R upon rotation of the second set of planetary gears 262 about theirindividual axes, thereby causing corresponding rotation of the secondcarrier 264 about the second sun gear 260. For example, selectiveengagement of the shifter 118 with the first member 160 may cause thesecond set of planetary gears 262 to walk about the second sun gear 260in the second direction R as the second sun gear 260 is held stationaryvia the transfer member 252 operably coupled to the first member 160(and the ring gear 268 rotates). Similarly, selective engagement of theshifter 118 with the second member 162 (and thus the ring gear 268formed therein) may cause the second set of planetary gears 262 to walkabout the second sun gear 260 in the first direction E, as explained infurther detail below.

To allow the selective operation and the variable control of theoperating system 100, the first and second drive sections 164, 165 arecoupled such that rotation of one affects rotation of the other, such asby sharing an element therebetween, or by coupling of one or moreelements therebetween to rotate together (e.g., an element conveyingmovement between the first and second drive sections 164, 165). In suchembodiments, the directional control mechanism 110 (e.g., the shifter118) may be arranged to selectively lock the shared element of the firstand second drive sections 164, 165 or an element which transmitsrotation between the first and second drive sections 164, 165, tocontrol operation of the transmission 112. For example, the first andsecond drive sections 164, 165 may share a ring gear 268, the ring gear268 meshingly engaged with both the first and second sets of planetarygears 246, 262. In at least one embodiment, rotation of either the firstset of planetary gears 246 or the second set of planetary gears 262 maycause rotation of the ring gear 268 and therefore rotation of the otherplanetary gear set, such as if one of the planetary gear sets cannotrevolve around its respective sun gear. In one embodiment, the ring gear268 may be formed as part of the second member 162, such as within orpart of the second tube 198 of the second member 162 (e.g., as part ofthe gear surface 222). In such embodiments, the first and second sets ofplanetary gears 246, 262 are positioned at least partially within thesecond tube 198 of the second member 162 between the ring gear 268 andtheir respective sun gears 244, 260. As explained below, selectiveengagement of the shifter 118 with the second member 162 may control themanner of operation of the operating system 100. For example, selectiveengagement of the shifter 118 with the second member 162 locks the ringgear 268 from rotating in at least one direction (e.g., from rotating inat least the second direction R), which in turn causes the first andsecond sets of planetary gears 246, 262 to walk or revolve around theirrespective sun gears 244, 260 as the first and second sets of planetarygears 246, 262 rotate about their individual axes.

To at least control movement of the covering 102, the second carrier264, which may be referred to as an output or an output carrier, may beconfigured to operatively engage the drive member 108. For example, thesecond carrier 264 and the drive member 108 may include correspondingstructure such that movement of one correspondingly moves the other. Inone embodiment, illustrated in FIG. 3, the second carrier 264 mayinclude an engagement mechanism, such as a protrusion 280 extending froma wall 282 positioned between the protrusion 280 and the posts 266. Theprotrusion 280 may include a plurality of radially extending tabs 284spaced circumferentially about the protrusion 280. In such embodiments,the drive member 108 may include an aperture 286 defined in its end wall132 and about which is defined a plurality of slots 288 corresponding(e.g., in size, shape, and/or position) with the tabs 284 on the secondcarrier 264 (see FIG. 11). In an assembled state, the protrusion 280 ofthe second carrier 264 may be received at least partially within theaperture 286 of the drive member 108, with the tabs 284 of the secondcarrier 264 being received in the slots 288 of the drive member 108 (seeFIG. 11) such that rotation of one of the second carrier 264 and thedrive member 108 is imparted to the other. As such, rotation of thetransmission 112 may drivingly rotate the drive member 108 (orvice-versa). To retain engagement of the drive member 108 with thesecond carrier 264, the drive member 108 and the second carrier 264 mayinclude corresponding retention features, which may be releasable insome embodiments to permit disassembly of the operating system 100, ifdesired. For example, the protrusion 280 of the second carrier 264 mayinclude a plurality of resilient catches 290 each defined at leastpartially by a terminal hook portion 292, the terminal hook portions 292defining a diameter greater than the diameter of the aperture 286. Insuch embodiments, the protrusion 280 is inserted within the aperture 286(with the tabs 284 and the slots 288 in axial alignment) until the hookportions 292 clear the end wall 132 of the drive member 108, at whichpoint the catches 290 expand to secure at least a portion of the endwall 132 between the hook portions 292 and the wall 282 of the secondcarrier 264 (see FIG. 7).

To hold the transmission 112 together, the transmission 112 may berotatably received at least partially within the housing 104. Forexample, referring to FIG. 7, the housing 104 may include first andsecond halves 300, 302 that engage each other to enclose portions of thefirst and second members 160, 162. As shown, the first half 300 mayinclude a boss 304 and an annular recess 306 defined at least partiallyby a bottom wall 308 extending about the boss 304. The annular recess306 may receive at least the first and second bases 166, 196 of thefirst and second members 160, 162, respectively. The recess 306 mayinclude a depth that corresponds substantially to the combinedthicknesses of the first and second bases 166, 196 (see FIG. 7). In suchembodiments, the second surface 172 of the first member 160 mayrotatably abut or slide against the bottom wall 308 of the first half300 to limit axial movement of the first member 160 relative the housing104, for instance. To rotatably support the assembled transmission 112,the boss 304 may extend away from the bottom wall 308 a third length L₃,the third length L₃ corresponding generally with the first length L₁ ofthe first tube 168 of the first member 160. In such embodiments, thefirst member 160 may rotate about the boss 304. As shown, the boss 304may be aligned concentrically with the transmission 112 along therotational axis A.

The second half 302 of the housing 104 may include a center opening 310through which the tubes 168, 198 of the first and second members 160,162, respectively, may be received (see FIGS. 2 and 7). In someembodiments, the center opening 310 may be sized to also receive theflange 134 of the drive member 108. Once assembled, the first surface200 of the second member 162 may rotatably abut or slide against aninner surface 312 of the second half 302. In this manner, the first andsecond bases 166, 196 of the first and second members 160, 162,respectively, may be enclosed between the first and second halves 300,302 of the housing 104 to couple the transmission 112 to or at leastpartially within the housing 104 (see FIG. 7). To couple the first andsecond halves 300, 302 together, the first and second halves 300, 302may include corresponding retention features. For instance, the firsthalf 300 may include a plurality of tabs 314 peripherally spaced aboutthe first half 300 (see FIG. 6). The second half 302 may include aplurality of corresponding catches 316 that engage the tabs 314 of thefirst half 300 to snap fit and secure the two halves 300, 302 together(see FIG. 1), though other suitable fastening mechanism may be utilized,such as fasteners, heat or sonic welding, adhesive, or the like.

As noted above, movement of the transmission 112 may be controlled bythe input assembly 106. For example, the input assembly 106 may beadapted to drivingly rotate a portion of the transmission 112 (e.g., thefirst drive section 164) upon actuation by a user. As explained below,the input assembly 106 may provide an input force to the transmission112 to rotate the transmission 112 and thereby the drive member 108. Inone example, the input assembly 106 may include a spring motor 330 andan input shaft 332 coupled thereto (see FIG. 2). In some embodiments,the spring motor 330 may be actuated by an actuation element, such as bya drive cord 334 (see, e.g., FIG. 13). In such embodiments, the inputshaft 332 may be coupled to the spring motor 330 such that rotation ofthe spring motor 330 as caused by actuation of the drive cord 334 causesthe input shaft 332 to rotate. For example, the drive cord 334 mayengage the spring motor 330 at a point spaced away from a rotationalaxis of the spring motor 330, thus creating a moment biasing the springmotor 330 to rotate (e.g., in the first direction E) upon actuation ofthe drive cord 334. Rotation of the spring motor 330 may cause the inputshaft 332 to rotate, rotation of the input shaft 332 rotatably drivingthe transmission 112, as detailed below. In some embodiments, the drivecord 334 may be wrapped about an outer portion of the spring motor 330,such as within an annular groove 336, such that the moment provided bymovement of the drive cord 334 is relatively constant during operation.

To allow the input assembly 106 to be repeatedly operated, the springmotor 330 may be biased to rotate in the second direction R, such as viaa clock spring 337 or similar device, so as to wrap the drive cord 334about the spring motor 330 (see FIG. 6). In this manner, a user mayrepeatedly operate the input assembly 106 using a series of relativelyshort strokes of the drive cord 334 away from the operating system 100.For example, during a power stroke, a user may move the drive cord 334away from the spring motor 330 (e.g., downward) a first distance torotate the spring motor 330 in the first direction E, at which point theuser may release or decrease the amount of force applied to the drivecord 334. Once sufficient force is released, the spring motor 330 may bebiased to rotate in the second direction R to retract and wrap the drivecord 334 about the outer portion of the spring motor 330 (e.g., a resetstroke). Once reset, the drive cord 334 may be actuated again (i.e., thepower stroke) to continue to rotate the spring motor 330, which in turncauses the transmission 112 to rotate the drive member 108. The processof alternating between the power and reset strokes may be repeated untilthe drive member 108 is rotated via the transmission 112 (e.g., via thesecond carrier 264) a sufficient amount as desired. Because the drivecord 334 may be biased to wrap about the spring motor 330, only a smallportion of the drive cord 334 (e.g., only a handle portion) may bevisible when the drive cord 334 is retracted, thus increasing theaesthetic appeal of the operating system 100 and/or an associatedcovering. To prevent the drive cord 334 from overwrapping, the drivecord 334 may include a stop mechanism 338 operable to engage a portionof the operating system 100 and/or the covering 102, as explained below.In some embodiments, the stop mechanism 338 may be threaded or includeother engagement mechanisms to couple a touchpoint or operating element,such as a wand or handle 340 (hereinafter “handle” for the sake ofconvenience without intent to limit), thereto (see FIG. 1).

With reference to FIGS. 2, 6, and 7, the input shaft 332 may beoperatively coupled to the spring motor 330 such that rotation of thespring motor 330 rotates the input shaft 332 to rotate the transmission112. In some embodiments, the input shaft 332 may be arranged such thatrotation of the spring motor 330 rotates the input shaft 332 in only onedirection. For example, the input shaft 332 may be rotatably supportedby a two or more one-way or anti-reverse bearings (e.g., two bearings).As detailed below, each of the bearings may permit the input shaft 332to rotate therein in one direction but may limit relative rotation ofthe input shaft 332 in an opposite direction, such as via internalrollers engageable with biased ramps or wedges, for instance. Asdescribed herein, the bearings in combination may limit rotation of theinput shaft 332 in different directions. For example, at least one ofthe one-way bearings (e.g., a first bearing 342) may be arranged totransmit a rotational force from the spring motor 330 to the input shaft332 in one direction, such as being configured to transmit rotation ofthe spring motor 330 in the first direction E to the input shaft 332, asexplained below. In such embodiments, at least another of the one-waybearings (e.g., a second bearing 346) may be arranged to complement thefirst bearing 342 to rotationally support the input shaft 332 and limitrotation of the input shaft 332 to only one direction transmitted by thefirst bearing 342 during the cyclical movement of the spring motor 330described above. In particular, the first bearing 342 may be coupled tothe spring motor 330 and the input shaft 332 (e.g., radially between aportion of the spring motor 330 and the input shaft 332) such thatrotation of the spring motor 330 in the first direction E causes theinput shaft 332 to rotate correspondingly in the first direction Eduring the power stroke of the input assembly 106 (e.g., the firstbearing 342 and the input shaft 332 rotate in unison during the powerstroke). During the same power stroke, the input shaft 332 may rotatewithin the second bearing 346 in the first direction E. During the resetstroke of the input assembly 106, the spring motor 330 may rotate in thesecond direction R causing the first bearing 342 to rotate in the seconddirection R about the input shaft 332, the input shaft 332, however,being limited from rotating in second direction R by the second bearing346. In this manner, the input shaft 332 may rotate only in the firstdirection E during operation of the input assembly 106 upon input from auser, which may be advantageous to facilitate the reciprocating motionof the drive cord 334 and/or limit the operating system 100 fromback-driving the spring motor 330, for instance. For example, withoutuse of the first and second bearings 342, 346, the input shaft 332 maybe rotated in the second direction R (such as under the weight of thecovering 102), which may damage the spring motor 330.

In one embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 7, the first bearing 342 maybe received, such as by press fitting, within a protruding portion 344of the spring motor 330. To rotationally couple the input shaft 332 tothe spring motor 330, the first bearing 342 may be seated within thespring motor 330 in a manner to prevent rotation of the first bearing342 relative to the spring motor 330. For example, the spring motor 330and/or the first bearing 342 may be sized and shaped to create aninterference fit between the two elements to effectively lock the firstbearing 342 to the spring motor 330. In the embodiments of FIG. 7, thesecond bearing 346 may be rotationally fixed within the boss 304 of thehousing 104, such as being positioned, such as by press fitting, withina bearing block 348. In one embodiment, the bearing block 348 may berotationally fixed within the boss 304 of the housing 104. As shown, thebearing block 348 may include a hollow body 350 with a plurality of fins360 extending radially therefrom. The second bearing 346 may be seatedwithin the body 350 of the bearing block 348 in a manner to preventrotation of the second bearing 346 relative to the body 350, such as viainterference fit or the like. To secure the bearing block 348 within theboss 304, a plurality of corresponding grooves 362 may be defined withinthe interior wall of the boss 304, and the grooves 362 of the boss 304may receive the fins 360 of the bearing block 348. To properly positionthe bearing block 348 within the boss 304, a spacer 364 may be receivedwithin the boss 304 and positioned between the spring motor 330 and thebearing block 348. Like the bearing block 348, the spacer 364 may besized and shaped to be rotationally fixed within the boss 304, such asby a radial fin structure similar to the bearing block 348 engaging thegrooves 362 of the boss 304. Once positioned within the boss 304, thebearing block 348 may sit substantially flush with an axial end of theboss 304 (see FIG. 7). Once seated, the first and second bearings 342,346 may concentrically align the input shaft 332 with the boss 304 andthe transmission 112, such as along the rotational axis A.

As described herein, the input shaft 332 may be keyed to rotate thetransmission 112, such as at least one of the first and second drivesections 164, 165 (e.g., the first drive section 164) upon actuation ofthe spring motor 330. For example, the input shaft 332 may include anon-circular cross-section (see FIG. 9), such as semi-circular, square,or the like. In such embodiments, the first sun gear 244, which may bereferred to as an input or input gear, may include an aperture 366defined therethrough and configured to allow the input shaft 332 torotate the first sun gear 244, such as having a correspondingnon-circular cross-section (see FIG. 4). Rotation of the input shaft 332may drivingly rotate the first sun gear 244, which in turn may cause atleast some of the remaining elements of the first and second drivesections 164, 165 to rotate correspondingly, such as effecting rotationof each of the drive member 108, the first and second members 160, 162,the first and second carriers 248, 264, the ring gear 268, the secondsun gear 260, the first and second sets of the planetary gears 246, 262(either about their individual axes, about their respective sun gears,or both), or any combination thereof. For instance, the input shaft 332may rotate freely within an opening or aperture defined in the first andsecond members 160, 162, the first and second carriers 248, 264, and thedrive member 108. Though shown and described as including a spring motor330, the input assembly 106 may include any type of assembly or systemoperable to rotate the input shaft 332 in the first direction E,including an electric motor, a continuous cord loop, or a twisting wandmechanism, among others.

To control the operation of the transmission 112 and therefore therotation of the drive member 108, embodiments of the operating system100 illustrated in FIGS. 12-14 may include first and second lockportions 380, 382 associated with the control mechanism 110 to effectrotation of the transmission 112 to rotate the drive member 108 ineither the first direction E or the second direction R. In oneembodiment, the first and second lock portions 380, 382 are configuredto alternately engage different parts or portions of the transmission112. For example, as detailed below, the first lock portion 380 mayengage a first portion of the transmission 112 to limit the drive member108 against rotation in the first direction E, and the second lockportion 382 may engage another portion of the transmission 112 to limitthe drive member 108 against rotation in the second direction R. In eachof the embodiments described herein, the shifter 118 may be movablebetween engagement configurations to alternately engage the first lockportion 380 with the transmission 112, engage the second lock portion382 with the transmission 112, or disengage the first and second lockportions 380, 382 from the transmission 112 to control the movement ofthe operating system 100, as explained below. For instance, engagementof the shifter 118 with a first portion of the transmission 112 (e.g.,with the first member 160) engages the first lock portion 380 to causethe operating system 100 to affect the rotation direction of the drivemember 108, and therefore affect operation of the covering 102, in afirst manner, such as closing and/or retracting the covering 102 bylimiting the drive member 108 to rotate in only the second direction R.Similarly, engagement of the shifter 118 with another portion of thetransmission 112 (e.g., with the second member 162) disengages the firstlock portion 380 and engages the second lock portion 382 to affect therotation direction of the drive member 108 in another manner, such asopening the covering 102 by limiting the drive member 108 to rotate inonly the first direction E. Additionally or alternatively, disengagementof the first and second lock portions 380, 382 may affect the operationof the covering 102 in a third manner, such as allowing the covering 102to extend across an architectural structure/feature by allowing thedrive member 108 to rotate (e.g., freely) in the first direction E.

In some embodiments, the first lock portion 380 includes a first portion400 of the shifter 118. In such embodiments, the first portion 400 ofthe shifter 118 may engage the engagement profile 176 of the firstmember 160 to limit rotation of the first member 160. For example, thefirst portion 400 may include a first protrusion 404 configured toselectively engage the engagement profile 176 of the first member 160 toengage the first lock portion 380 to the transmission 112. As detailedbelow, the first portion 400 of the shifter 118 may selectively extendwithin an aperture defined within the first half 300 of the housing 104to engage the first member 160.

In some embodiments, the second lock portion 382 includes a secondportion 402 of the shifter 118 and an overrunning gear 386, the secondportion 402 of the shifter 118 selectively engaging the second member162 via the overrunning gear 386. As explained below, the overrunninggear 386 may permit the operating system 100 to operate the covering 102in two or more manners once the shifter 118 is positioned to engage thesecond lock portion 382 to the transmission 112. For example, once theshifter 118 is positioned for engagement with the second member 162, theoverrunning gear 386 may operatively permit the covering 102 to gravitydrop across the architectural structure/feature without influence fromthe transmission 112 (i.e., a gravity drop feature) while alsopermitting the operating system 100 to drivingly open covering 102 oncethe covering 102 is fully dropped (i.e., extended). For example, asdescribed more fully below, the overrunning gear 386 may allow thesecond member 162 to rotate in one direction only (e.g., in only thefirst direction E) once the shifter 118 is positioned for engagementwith the second member 162. In an assembled state, the overrunning gear386 is meshingly engaged with the engagement profile 214 of the secondmember 162 such that rotation of second member 162 rotates theoverrunning gear 386, or vice-versa. For instance, as shown in FIG. 5,the overrunning gear 386 may include a plurality of gear teeth 388 thatmesh with the gear teeth 216 of the second member 162. As such, rotationof the second member 162 may be controlled by controlling the rotationof the overrunning gear 386. As detailed below, the shifter 118 mayengage the overrunning gear 386 to limit rotation of the second member162. For instance, the shifter 118 may engage at least one of the gearteeth 388 of the overrunning gear 386 to limit rotation of theoverrunning gear 386. Once the shifter 118 engages the overrunning gear386, the overrunning gear 386 may in turn limit rotation of the secondmember 162, as explained in more detail below. As shown in FIGS. 9, 14,and 15, the overrunning gear 386 may rotate within a channel 390 definedby and between the first and second halves 300, 302 of the housing 104.The channel 390 may include a length defining a first channel portion392 and a second channel portion 394. As explained below, the shifter118 may selectively extend into the second channel portion 394 to engagethe overrunning gear 386 therein.

In some embodiments, the shifter 118 may be an elongate member includingthe first portion 400 opposing the second portion 402 (see FIGS. 12 and13). In some embodiments, the shifter 118 may be curved and may pivotabout an axis positioned between the first and second portions 400, 402.As explained below, the axis may permit the shifter 118 to move (e.g.,rock) between two operating positions to engage either the first member160 (e.g., a first operating position, see FIG. 12) or the second member162 (e.g., a second operating position, see FIG. 13) to alter operationof the operating system 100. The shifter 118 may be rotatably orpivotably mounted to a portion of the operating system 100, such asabout a pivot boss 416 extending from an inner surface 410 of an end cap408 (see FIG. 2). The pivot boss 416 may be aligned with the axis of theshifter 118 to permit the shifter 118 to move between the first andsecond operating positions.

To move the shifter 118 between its operating positions, the drive cord334 may be routed through the first portion 400 of the shifter 118. Assuch, a user may move the shifter 118 between its operating positions bymanipulating the drive cord 334 in certain directions. For instance,moving the drive cord 334 towards the operating system 100 may move theshifter 118 to its first operating position, and moving the drive cord334 away from the operating system 100 may move the shifter 118 to itssecond operating position.

The shifter 118 may be releasably held to engage either the first lockportion 380 or the second lock portion 382 with the transmission 112 inan alternating fashion. For example, the operating system 100 mayinclude a biasing mechanism 438 biasing the shifter 118 to one of thetwo operating positions based on the position of the shifter 118. Asshown in FIG. 2, the biasing mechanism 438 may include a plurality ofmagnets associated with the shifter 118 and the end cap 408. A firstmagnet 440 may be secured to the end cap 408, such as to the innersurface 410 of the end cap 408, and a second magnet 442 may beassociated with a portion of the shifter 118, such as positioned withina cavity 444 defined in the second portion 402 of the shifter 118 (seeFIG. 14).

The first and second magnets 440, 442 may be configured to repel eachother so as to position either the first or second lock portions 380,382 of the shifter 118 into engagement with the transmission 112. Thefirst and second magnets 440, 442 may substantially align with eachother when the shifter 118 is positioned between its operatingpositions, and the magnets 440, 442 may bias the shifter 118 toward oneof its operating positions. For instance, once the first portion 400 ofthe shifter 118 is positioned near the first member 160, the first andsecond magnets 440, 442 may repel each other to fully seat the firstportion 400 for engagement with the first member 160. In like manner,once the second portion 402 of the shifter 118 is positioned near thesecond member 162, the first and second magnets 440, 442 may repel eachother to fully seat the shifter 118 for engagement with the secondmember 162. To provide the alternating repelling force, the first andsecond magnets 440, 442 may be positioned in an overlapping slidingrelationship, with the second magnet 442 positioned to either side ofthe first magnet 440 depending on the position of the shifter 118.Though shown and described as including a plurality of magnets, thebiasing mechanism 438 may include any suitable structure orconfiguration, including one or more cam surfaces, pivot mechanisms,springs, or the like, operable to alternatively seat the shifter 118 forengagement with different parts of the transmission 112, such as thefirst and second members 160, 162.

Operation of the illustrated embodiment will now be discussed in moredetail. As explained herein, operation of the input assembly 106 mayactuate the first drive section 164, which in turn actuates the seconddrive section 165 to rotate the drive member 108 coupled thereto. Forexample, without limitation, each of the first and second drive sections164, 165 may include an input and an output. In one embodiment, theoutput of the first drive section 164 may be or may operably drive theinput of the second drive section 165, as described below. In suchembodiments, the directional control mechanism 110 alternately engagesdifferent portions of the transmission 112 (e.g., a shared element ofthe first and second drive sections 164, 165) to cause the transmission112 to operate in different manners, the manner of operation of thetransmission 112 affecting the manner of operation of the drive member108 (e.g., to rotate in the first direction E, to rotate in the seconddirection R, and/or to rotate freely), such as by controlling rotationof the output of the second drive section 165 upon rotation of the inputof the first drive section 164. As explained below, in one embodiment, afirst engagement configuration of the shifter 118 (such as engaging thefirst lock portion 380) may affect at least a first element of thetransmission 112 to cause the drive member 108 to rotate in a firstmanner. Similarly, a second engagement configuration of the shifter 118with the second lock portion 382 may affect at least a second element ofthe transmission 112 to cause the drive member 108 to rotate in a secondmanner. A third engagement configuration of the shifter 118 may allowthe drive member 108 to rotate freely, such as by disengaging at leastone element of the transmission 112, such as an element that is sharedbetween the first drive section 164 and the second drive section 165 ofthe transmission 112.

Briefly, during operation of the operating system 100, the input shaft332 rotates in the first direction E causing the first sun gear 244 torotate in the first direction E. What changes is whether the firstcarrier 248 is locked or whether the ring gear 268 is locked dependingon the position of the directional control mechanism 110 (e.g., theshifter 118). If the first carrier 248 is locked, the first set ofplanetary gears 246 can only rotate about their individual axes andcannot orbit about the first sun gear 244. As described herein, lockingof the first carrier 248 locks the second sun gear 260. Because thesecond set of planetary gears 262 and the second carrier 264 are bothfree to rotate, they rotate in the same second direction R. When thering gear 268 is locked, the first and second sets of planetary gears246, 262 orbit relative to the ring gear 268 in a direction opposite tothe direction in which the gears rotate about their individual axes,such as orbiting in the first direction E as the gears each rotate aboutits individual axis in the second direction R.

More specifically, when the covering 102 is positioned in the firstposition in which the covering 102 is fully extended and closed (seeFIG. 19), the operating system 100 may be operated to retract thecovering 102, such as wrapping the covering 102 about the roller tube136 in one non-limiting embodiment. To retract the covering 102, theshifter 118 may be positioned to engage the first portion 400 of theshifter 118 with the first member 160 (see FIG. 12). As noted above, toposition the shifter 118 into engagement with the first member 160, auser may bias the drive cord 334 towards the first member 160, such asrearward towards the architectural structure/feature, until the shifter118 engages the first member 160, such as under the bias of the biasingmechanism 438. Once the shifter 118 is seated in this first operatingposition, the first protrusion 404 of the shifter 118 may engage theengagement profile 176 of the first member 160 to lock the first member160 against rotation. For instance, the first protrusion 404 may engagea surface of at least one of the projections 178 of the first member 160to lock the first member 160 against rotation in the first direction E.

Once the shifter 118 is engaged with the first member 160, the user mayoperate the input assembly 106, such as repeatedly actuating the drivecord 334, to rotate the transmission 112 to retract the covering 102.For example, the user may bias the drive cord 334 in a first manner,such as pulling the drive cord 334 downwardly (e.g., straight down) awayfrom the operating system 100, to cause the spring motor 330 to rotatein the first direction E. As noted above, rotation of the spring motor330 in the first direction E causes the input shaft 332 to rotate in thefirst direction E, rotation of the input shaft 332 providing an inputfor the first drive section 164, such as rotating the first sun gear 244of the first drive section 164 in the same direction as the input shaft332 (e.g., in the first direction E). As the first sun gear 244 rotatesin the first direction E, each gear of the first set of planetary gears246 rotates about its individual axis in the second direction R. Whenthe first member 160 (which carries the first carrier 248) is fixedagainst rotation by the shifter 118, the first set of planetary gears246 cannot revolve around the first sun gear 244 (because the firstcarrier 248 is fixed against rotation) and can only rotate in placeabout their individual axes in the second direction R as the first sungear 248 rotates in the first direction E. Rotation of the first set ofplanetary gears 246 about their individual axes in the second directionR then provides an output of the first drive section 164, such ascausing the second member 162 (ring gear 268) to rotate in the seconddirection R, the output of the first drive section 164 operable toaffect rotation of another portion of the transmission 112, such as thesecond drive section 165 as explained below.

In embodiments having a second drive section 165, rotation of the secondmember 162 (ring gear 268) by the first drive section 164 may provide aninput for the second drive section 165, such as rotating the second setof planetary gears 262. In such embodiments, rotation of the secondmember 162 in the second direction R causes each gear of the second setof planetary gears 262 to rotate about its individual axis in the seconddirection R. Since the second sun gear 260 is fixed against rotation bybeing coupled to the first member 160 (first carrier 248) via thetransfer member 252, rotation of the gears of the second set ofplanetary gears 262 about their respective axes in the second directionR causes the second set of planetary gears 262 to revolve around thesecond sun gear 260 in the second direction R to provide an output ofthe second drive section 165. For example, as the second set ofplanetary gears 262 revolves around the second sun gear 260 in thesecond direction R, the second carrier 264 rotates in the seconddirection R. Through the engagement between the second carrier 264 andthe drive member 108, rotation of the second carrier 264 in the seconddirection R causes the drive member 108 to rotate in the seconddirection R to retract the covering 102, such as causing the roller tube136 to rotate in the second direction R to wrap the covering 102 aboutthe roller tube 136 in one non-limiting example. The user may continueto operate the drive cord 334, such as alternating between the power andreset strokes discussed above, until the covering 102 is retracted to adesired position relative to the architectural structure/feature (e.g.,fully retracted, partially retracted, etc.). Once in a desired position,the user may release the drive cord 334, at which point the biasprovided by the spring motor 330 may retract the drive cord 334 towardsthe operating system 100 until the stop mechanism 338 of the drive cord334 seats against a portion of the end cap 408, such as a lower surfaceor an engagement structure as explained below.

At any point of retraction, the user may manipulate the operating system100 to extend the covering 102 across the architecturalstructure/feature, such as by unwrapping the covering 102 from theroller tube 136. To extend the covering 102, the shifter 118 may bepositioned in its second operating position to disengage the first lockportion 380 (e.g., the first portion 400 of the shifter 118 disengagesthe first member 160) (see FIG. 13). As noted above, to position theshifter 118 in its second operating position, the user may move thedrive cord 334 away from the operating system 100, such as away from thearchitectural structure/feature, until the shifter 118 is positioned inits second operating position, such as under the bias of the biasingmechanism 438. Once seated in the second operating position, the shifter118 disengages the first member 160 and the second protrusion 406 of theshifter 118 may extend within the second channel portion 394 of thehousing 104 to selectively engage the overrunning gear 386 at a certainpoint of operation, as explained below (see FIG. 15).

Once the shifter 118 disengages the first member 160, the shifter 118may also be disengaged from the overrunning gear 386 such that thecovering 102 drops freely across the architectural structure/featurewithout any need to drivingly rotate the second carrier 264 to extendthe covering 102, such as via the roller tube 136 being free to rotatein the first direction E under the force of gravity. For example, whenthe shifter 118 disengages the first member 160 and the overrunning gear386, the transmission 112 may rotate freely to permit the drive member108 to rotate in the first direction E, thus unwrapping the covering 102from the roller tube 136 to cover more of the architecturalstructure/feature in at least one embodiment. For example, once theshifter 118 disengages the first member 160 and the overrunning gear386, the first member 160 (first carrier 248) and the second member 162are free to rotate in the first direction E under the bias provided bythe covering 102. For example, as the second member 162 (ring gear 268)rotates in the first direction E, the overrunning gear 386 may move toand rotate within the first channel portion 392 of the housing 104 (seeFIG. 15). When the shifter 118 extends within only the second channelportion 394 of the housing 104 when positioned in the second operatingposition, the overrunning gear 386 is free to rotate within the firstchannel portion 392, thus permitting the second member 162 to rotatefreely in the first direction E until, for example, the covering 102 ispositioned in its first position, as explained below. Since the firstmember 160 (first carrier 248) is free to rotate in the first directionE when the shifter 118 is positioned in its second operation position,the second sun gear 260 is also free to rotate in the first direction E.Thus, none of the three main components of the second drive section 165is locked against rotation when the shifter 118 is positioned in itssecond operating position, and each of the second sun gear 260, the ringgear 268, and the second carrier 264 can rotate freely in the firstdirection E to allow free rotation of the drive member 108 in the firstdirection E to extend the covering 102 across the architecturalstructure/feature.

Once the covering 102 is in the first position (i.e., extended andclosed) and the shifter 118 is in its second operating position, theuser may operate the input assembly 106, such as repeatedly actuatingthe drive cord 334, to rotate the transmission 112 to open the covering102. For instance, the user may bias the drive cord 334 in a secondmanner, such as pulling the drive cord 334 downwardly (e.g., transverseto the plane of the architectural structure/feature) away from theoperating system 100 and away from the architectural structure/feature.In one embodiment, the drive cord 334 must be pulled at a slight angleaway from the covering 102 to maintain the shifter 118 in its secondoperating position to open the covering 102. Otherwise, if the drivecord 334 is pulled straight down, the drive cord 334 may move theshifter 118 to its first operating position to retract the covering 102.As described herein, moving the drive cord 334 away from the operatingsystem 100 causes the spring motor 330 to rotate in the first directionE, which in turn causes the input shaft 332 to rotate in the firstdirection E to provide an input for the first drive section 164, such asdrivingly rotating the first sun gear 244 in the first direction E. Asthe first sun gear 244 rotates in the first direction E, each gear ofthe first set of planetary gears 246 rotates about its individual axisin the second direction R, rotation of the first set of planetary gears246 about their axes in the second direction R causing the second member162 (ring gear 268) to rotate in the second direction R. In suchembodiments, rotation of the second member 162 in the second direction Rcauses the overrunning gear 386 to move from the first channel portion392 to the second channel portion 394, such as via rotation of theoverrunning gear 386 in the first direction E, for engagement with theshifter 118 (see FIG. 14). Once the shifter 118 and the overrunning gear386 are engaged, rotation of the overrunning gear 386 in the firstdirection E may be limited, thereby limiting rotation of the secondmember 162 in the second direction R.

Once the second member 162 (ring gear 268) is fixed against rotation inthe second direction R, continued actuation of the input assembly 106causes the first set of planetary gears 246 to revolve or walk aroundthe first sun gear 244 in the first direction E as each of the first setof planetary gears 246 rotates about its individual axis in the seconddirection R upon rotation of the first sun gear 244 in the firstdirection E. In such embodiments, the orbiting motion of the first setof planetary gears 246 about the first sun gear 244 provides an outputof the first drive section 164 to affect rotation of another portion ofthe transmission 112, such as the second drive section 165, as explainedbelow.

In embodiments having a second drive section 165, the orbiting movementof the first set of planetary gears 246 about the first sun gear 244 mayprovide an input for the second drive section 165. For example, inembodiments including a transfer member 252 tying movement of the firstset of planetary gears 246 to the second sun gear 260, the orbitingmovement of the first set of planetary gears 246 about the first sungear 244 in the first direction E causes the second sun gear 260 torotate in the first direction E, thereby causing each gear of the secondset of planetary gears 262 to rotate in the second direction R about itsindividual axis. When the second member 162 (ring gear 268) is fixedagainst rotation in the second direction R via the shifter 118, rotationof the second set of planetary gears 262 about their individual axes inthe second direction R causes the second set of planetary gears 262 torevolve around the second sun gear 260 in the first direction E toprovide an output of the second drive section 165. For example, as thesecond set of planetary gears 262 revolves around the second sun gear260 in the first direction E, the second carrier 264 rotates in thefirst direction E. Through the engagement between the second carrier 264and the drive member 108, rotation of the second carrier 264 in thefirst direction E causes the drive member 108 to rotate in the firstdirection E to open the covering 102 as discussed above, such asrotating the roller tube 136 in the first direction E to open the vanes122 of the covering 102. To provide fine control in opening the covering102, the transmission 112 may include a relatively high first driveratio rotating the drive member 108 in the first direction E. The usermay continue to operate the drive cord 334, such as alternating betweenthe power and reset strokes discussed above, until the covering 102 isopened as desired (e.g., fully opened, partly opened, etc.).

Moving the covering 102 into a closed configuration may be accomplishedin substantially the same manner discussed above in relation toretracting the covering 102. Specifically, the shifter 118 may bepositioned in its first operating position such that the first portion400 of the shifter 118 engages the first member 160. Once the shifter118 engages the first member 160, the user may operate the inputassembly 106, such as repeatedly actuating the drive cord 334, to causethe drive member 108 to rotate in the second direction R in the samemanner as discussed above in relation to retracting the covering 102.For example, the user may bias the drive cord 334 in the first mannerdiscussed above to rotate the spring motor 330 and input shaft 332 inthe first direction E, which, as detailed above, causes the drive member108 to rotate in the second direction R via the transmission 112 and dueto engagement of the shifter 118 with the first member 160. As the drivemember 108 rotates in the second direction R, the covering 102 may beclosed, such as via the roller tube 136 rotating in the second directionR to close the vanes 122 of the covering 102, as discussed above. Theuser may continue to operate the drive cord 334, such as alternatingbetween the power and reset strokes discussed above, until the covering102 is closed as desired (e.g., fully closed, partly closed, etc.). Oncethe covering 102 is fully closed, the covering 102 may be retracted asdiscussed above.

To mount the operating system 100 to the covering 102, the operatingsystem 100 may be connected to the end cap 408 of the covering 102 (seeFIGS. 1 and 2). For instance, the housing 104 of the operating system100, such as the first half 300 of the housing 104, may be secured to aninner surface 410 of the end cap 408 using a plurality of fasteners 412,though other suitable fastening mechanisms and means are contemplated.The spring motor 330 may be positioned between the end cap 408 and thehousing 104, such as within a recess 414 defined in the inner surface410 of the end cap 408 (see FIGS. 2 and 7). Once secured, the protrudingportion 344 of the spring motor 330 may be rotatably positioned withinthe boss 304 of the housing 104 to, for instance, concentrically alignrotation of the spring motor 330 with the transmission 112 (see FIG. 7).

In some embodiments, the end cap 408 may facilitate biasing of thespring motor 330 to rotate in the second direction R. For example, inone non-exclusive embodiment, a tab 436 may extend from the innersurface 410 of the end cap 408 for engagement with the spring motor 330(see FIG. 2). The tab 436 may create an anchor point to facilitate thebiasing of the spring motor 330 noted above. For instance, opposing endsof a bias member, such as a clock spring 337 or a torsion spring, may becoupled to the tab 436 and the spring motor 330, respectively. As thespring motor 330 rotates in the first direction E, the clock spring 337may be tensioned to bias the spring motor 330 to rotate in the seconddirection R for at least the purposes explained above.

Additionally or alternatively, the end cap 408 may be arranged in someembodiments to position the drive cord 334 into proper alignment withthe directional control mechanism 110 (e.g., the shifter 118) tofacilitate smooth operation of the operating system 100. For instance,the end cap 408 may include a guide 420 extending inwardly (e.g.looping) from the inner surface 410 of the end cap 408 to define anopening 430 near a bottom portion 432 of the end cap 408 (see FIG. 1).In such embodiments, the first portion 400 of the shifter 118 may bepositioned adjacent the opening 430 and the drive cord 334 may be routedthrough the opening 430 (see FIG. 13). The guide 420 may be sized andshaped such that the opening 430 permits the drive cord 334 to move theshifter 118 between its operating positions. To provide a desiredaesthetic characteristic of the operating system 100, the guide 420 maydefine a lower surface 434, the stop mechanism 338 of the drive cord 334engaging the lower surface 434 to define a fully retracted position ofthe drive cord 334.

FIGS. 21-24 illustrate additional embodiments of an operating system600, 1100, or 1600 incorporating an overload protection assembly ormechanism. With the exception of the description that follows, theoperating systems 600, 1100, 1600 are similar to the operating system100 and its associated description above, and the features of theoperating systems 600, 1100, 1600 discussed below may be added to theembodiments of the operating system 100 discussed above, or vice-versa.Thus, in certain instances, descriptions of like features will not bediscussed when they would be apparent to those with skill in the art inlight of the description above and in view of FIGS. 21-24. For ease ofreference, like structure is represented with appropriately incrementedreference numbers.

As noted above, the operating system 600 may include an overloadprotection assembly or mechanism, such as a clutch mechanism 460,arranged to limit overloading of the transmission 112 (see FIGS. 21 and22). For example, without use of the clutch mechanism 460, excessivetorque loads on the transmission 112 from the input assembly 106 maycause at least portions of the first and second drive sections 164, 165to disengage, which may damage the transmission 112 and/or create anundesirable ratchet-type sound during operation due to at least thefirst and second drive sections 164, 165 moving with respect to eachother too quickly and skipping teeth. As explained below, the clutchmechanism 460 is arranged to slip before disengagement of thetransmission 112 occurs under excessive torque loading.

In the embodiments of FIGS. 21 and 22, the clutch mechanism 460 includesa spring, such as a wrap spring 462, coupled (e.g., rotatably coupled)to a portion of the second carrier 764, though other mechanisms arecontemplated such as those described below in relation to FIGS. 23 and24. For instance, the second carrier 764 (FIG. 21) may include acylindrical journal 464 extending beyond the end of the second member662 (see FIG. 21), the wrap spring 462 rotatably coupled about thejournal 464. In such embodiments, the drive member 608 may be elongatedto fit over the wrap spring 462 and the journal 464 of the secondcarrier 764. As shown, the wrap spring 462 may include a spring body 466including opposing ends 468, 470 defining first and second tangs 472,474, respectively. As shown, the first and second tangs 472, 474 extendoutwardly away from the spring body 466. The inner diameter of the wrapspring 462 may be less than the outer diameter of the journal 464 tocreate an interference fit between the spring body 466 of the wrapspring 462 and the journal 464. The interference fit may be configuredsuch that rotation of the second carrier 764 causes correspondingrotation of the wrap spring 462. As explained below, the interferencefit between the second carrier 764 and the wrap spring 462 may beconfigured to support up to a threshold torque between the two elements.The threshold torque may be between about 8 inch-pounds and about 12inch-pounds (preferably about 10 inch-pounds) depending on theparticular application, such as the particular size, weight, and/orconfiguration of the covering 102. As explained below, torque loads inexcess of the threshold torque may cause the wrap spring 462 to sliprelative the second carrier 764 before disengagement of the transmission112 occurs.

In at least one embodiment, illustrated in FIG. 22, the wrap spring 462may be arranged to drivingly rotate the drive member 608. For example,the drive member 608 may include one or more inner ribs 476 defining oneor more longitudinal voids 478 within the interior of the drive member608. In an assembled state, each of the first and second tangs 472, 474may be positioned within one of the voids 478 so as to position one ofthe ribs 476 between the first and second tangs 472, 474. When theoperating system 600 is actuated, the second carrier 764 (see FIG. 21)may rotate in either the first direction E or the second direction R(see FIG. 21) in the same manner discussed above with reference to thesecond carrier 264. When rotated in the first direction E, the secondcarrier 764 may cause the wrap spring 462 to rotate to engage the firsttang 472 of the wrap spring 462 with one side of a rib 476 of the drivemember 608, thereby causing the drive member 608 to rotate in the firstdirection E. Similarly, rotation of the second carrier 764 in the seconddirection R may cause the wrap spring 462 to correspondingly rotate toengage the second tang 474 of the wrap spring 462 with the opposite sideof the rib 476, thereby causing the drive member 608 to rotate in thesecond direction R. Because at least one rib 476 is flanked on each sideby the first and second tangs 472, 474, the drive member 608 may rotateonly upon rotation of the wrap spring 462. For instance, the first andsecond tangs 472, 474 on either side of a rib 476 pushes the rib 476 ineither direction to rotate the drive member 608 in either direction.

The wrap spring 462 may drivingly rotate the drive member 608 untilexcessive torque load occurs. For example, when the covering 102 is in afully retracted or closed position, the drive member 608 may beeffectively locked from further rotation in the second direction R, suchas via engaging portions of the covering 102 (e.g., a bottom railengaging a head rail), among others. Similarly, when the covering 102 isin a fully extended or opened position, further rotation of the drivemember 608 in the first direction E may be limited, such as via a limitstop or other mechanism. In such embodiments, continued rotation of thesecond carrier 764 in the second and first directions R, E,respectively, may cause the torque load between the second carrier 764and the wrap spring 462 to exceed the threshold torque supported by theinterference fit therebetween. Once the threshold torque is exceeded,the wrap spring 462 slips relative the second carrier 764 for thepurposes explained above.

In some embodiments, the threshold torque may be adjustable to match theoperating system 600 to a covering 102 of particular requirements. Forexample, without limitation, the clutch mechanism 460 may include anadjustment screw 480 adjustably coupled to the second carrier 764, suchas threadedly coupled to the journal 464 of the second carrier 764 (seeFIG. 21). In such embodiments, the adjustment screw 480 may be arrangedto control the outer diameter of the journal 464. For example, rotationof the adjustment screw 480 in one direction may increase the diameterof the journal 464 to increase the threshold torque between the journal464 and the wrap spring 462 to limit slippage to higher loads.Similarly, rotation of the adjustment screw 480 in an opposite directionmay decrease the diameter of the journal 464 to decrease the thresholdtorque between the journal 464 and the wrap spring 462 to allow slippageto occur under lighter loads. Additionally or alternatively, thethreshold torque may be adjusted through modification or tailoredselection of the wrap spring 462. For instance, the threshold torque maybe adjusted based on the number or size of wraps of the spring body 466positioned about the journal 464.

Turning to FIG. 23, the operating system 1100 may be similar to theoperating system 600 discussed above to permit a portion of theoperating system 1100 to slip before disengagement of the transmission112 occurs under excessive torque loading. In one embodiment, theoperating system 1100 includes a clutch mechanism 960 having a spring,such as a helical spring 962, coupled to the second carrier 1264, suchas via a ratchet mechanism 482 coupled to the drive member 1108. Theratchet mechanism 482 may be slidably coupled to the drive member 1108and selectively movable towards and away from the second carrier 1264.In such embodiments, the spring 962 may be positioned between the drivemember 1108 and at least a portion of the ratchet mechanism 482 to biasthe ratchet mechanism 482 towards the second carrier 1264. To provide adesired “slippage” of the drive member 1108 relative to the secondcarrier 1264, each of the second carrier 1264 and the ratchet mechanism482 may include a plurality of teeth 484, 486, respectively, meshinglyengaged with each other. Under normal operation, the spring 962 may biasthe teeth 484, 486 into engagement, such as by biasing the ratchetmechanism 482 towards the second carrier 1264. Under excessive loads,such as when the drive member 1108 is effectively locked againstrotation, rotation of the second carrier 1264 relative to the drivemember 1108 causes the ratchet mechanism 482 to move away from thesecond carrier 1264, such as by causing the teeth 486 of the ratchetmechanism 482 to climb up the teeth 484 of the second carrier 1264 asthe second carrier 1264 rotates relative to the ratchet mechanism 482.In some embodiments, the teeth 484, 486 may be biased such that theclutch mechanism 960 slips only when the second carrier 1264 rotatesrelative to the ratchet mechanism 482 in one direction (e.g., in thefirst direction E). Like the clutch mechanism 460 discussed above, thespring 962 may be sized and shaped to tailor the threshold torque atwhich the second carrier 1264 and the ratchet mechanism 482 sliprelative to each other. For example, a stiffer spring may limit slippageto higher loads. In like manner, a softer spring may allow slippage tooccur under lighter loads.

Referring to FIG. 24, the operating system 1600 may be similar to theoperating systems 600 and 1100 discussed above to permit a portion ofthe operating system 1600 to slip before disengagement of thetransmission 112 occurs under excessive torque loading. In particular,the operating system 1600 includes a clutch mechanism 1460 having aspring, such as a band spring 1462, coupled about the second carrier1764, such as via a ratchet mechanism 982 coupled to the drive member1608. The ratchet mechanism 982, which may include a plurality of colletfingers 490, may resiliently bend relative to the drive member 1608 toselectively expand away from or contract towards the second carrier1764. In such embodiments, the band spring 1462 may be positioned aboutthe collet fingers 490 to bias the collet fingers 490 towards the secondcarrier 1764. To provide a desired “slippage” of the drive member 1608relative to the second carrier 1764, each of the second carrier 1764 andthe ratchet mechanism 982 (i.e., the collet fingers 490) may include aplurality of teeth 984, 986, respectively, meshingly engaged with eachother. Under normal operation, the band spring 1462 may bias the teeth984, 986 into engagement, such as by biasing the collet fingers 490towards the second carrier 1764. Under excessive loads, such as when thedrive member 1608 is effectively locked against rotation, rotation ofthe second carrier 1764 relative to the drive member 1608 causes thecollet fingers 490 to move away from the second carrier 1764, such as bycausing the teeth 986 of the collet fingers 490 to climb up the teeth984 of the second carrier 1764 as the second carrier 1764 rotatesrelative to the collet fingers 490. In some embodiments, the teeth 984,986 may be biased such that the clutch mechanism 1460 slips only whenthe second carrier 1764 rotates relative to the collet fingers 490 inone direction (e.g., in the first direction E). The band spring 1462 maybe sized and shaped to tailor the threshold torque at which the secondcarrier 1764 and the ratchet mechanism 982 slip relative to each other.For example, a stiffer spring may limit slippage to higher loads. Inlike manner, a softer spring may allow slippage to occur under lighterloads. Though the ratchet mechanisms 482, 982 are shown in FIGS. 23 and24 to slip only when the second carriers 1264, 1764 rotate in onedirection, the ratchet mechanisms 482, 982 and/or the second carriers1264, 1764 may be arranged such that “slippage” occurs under anyrotational direction of the second carriers 1264, 1764. For example, theteeth 484, 486, 984, 986 may be approximately symmetrical across theteeth face or width.

FIG. 35 illustrates an additional embodiment of an operating system 2600incorporating an overload protection assembly or mechanism. With theexception of the description that follows, the operating system 2600 issimilar to the aforementioned operating systems 100, 600, 1100, 1600 andtheir associated descriptions above. Moreover, the features of theoperating system 2600 discussed below may be incorporated into theembodiments of the operating system 100, 600, 1100, 1600 discussedabove, or vice-versa. Thus, in certain instances, descriptions of likefeatures will not be discussed when they would be apparent to those withskill in the art in light of the descriptions above and in view of FIG.35. For ease of reference, like structure is represented withappropriately incremented reference numbers.

As noted above, the operating system 2600 may include an overloadprotection assembly or mechanism, such as a clutch mechanism 2460,arranged to limit overloading of the transmission 112 (see, for example,FIG. 2). For example, without use of the clutch mechanism 2460,excessive torque loads on the transmission 112 applied via the inputassembly 106 may cause at least portions of the first and second drivesections 164, 165 (see, for example, FIG. 2) to disengage, which maydamage the transmission 112 and/or create an undesirable ratchet-typesound during operation due to at least the first and second drivesections 164, 165 moving with respect to each other too quickly andskipping teeth. As explained below, the clutch mechanism 2460 isarranged to slip before disengagement of the transmission 112 occursunder excessive torque loading, thus preventing the aforementioneddamage and mis-operation.

In the embodiment of FIG. 35, the clutch mechanism 2460 may be in theform of a slip clutch 2462 coupled (e.g., press-fitted) to a portion ofthe second carrier, such as, for example, second carrier 264 (see, forexample, FIG. 2), though other mechanisms are contemplated. Forinstance, the second carrier 264 may include an opening 2470 formed inone end of the second carrier 264. In such embodiments, the drive member608 may extend over the slip clutch 2462 and the second carrier 264. Asshown, the slip clutch 2462 may include a first body portion 2464 and asecond body portion 2466. A portion of the first body portion 2466 maybe sized and configured to be received within the opening 2740 in thesecond carrier 264. The second body portion 2466 may include a pluralityof ridges 2468 formed thereon for coupling (e.g., press-fit) to thedrive member 608. In some embodiments, the ridges 2468 engagecorrespondingly-shaped recesses formed in the drive member 608 orintermesh with ridges (not shown) located in the opening of the drivemember 608 for receiving the second body portion 2466 of the slip clutch2462.

In use, the first and second body portions 2464, 2466 of the slip clutch2462 are adapted and configured to rotate together until a thresholdtorque between the first and second body portions 2464, 2466 isachieved. Thus, below the threshold torque, a torque applied to thesecond carrier 264 via the input assembly 106 is transmitted to thedrive member 608 via the slip clutch 2462. Torque loads in excess of thethreshold torque may cause the slip clutch 2462 to slip. That is, torqueloads in excess of the threshold torque may cause the first body portion2464 to rotate independent of the second body portion 2466, andvice-versa. As such, when the applied torque is below the thresholdtorque, torque supplied by the input assembly 106 causes the operatingsystem to rotate, which in turn causes the first and second bodyportions 2464, 2466 to rotate in unison, thus rotating the drive member608. However, once the threshold torque is achieved (e.g., the appliedtorque is equal to or greater than the threshold torque), rotation ofthe operating system is not transferred to the drive member 608 (e.g.,rotation of the first body portion 2464 of the slip clutch 2462 is nottransferred to the second body portion 2466 of the slip clutch).

More specifically, when the operating system 2600 is actuated, thesecond carrier 264 may rotate in either the first direction E or thesecond direction R in the same manner discussed above. When rotated inthe first direction E, the second carrier 264 may cause the slip clutch2462 (e.g., the first and second body portions 2464, 2466) to rotate,thereby causing the drive member 608 to rotate in the first direction E.Similarly, rotation of the second carrier 264 in the second direction Rmay cause the slip clutch 2462 (e.g., the first and second body portions2464, 2466) to correspondingly rotate, thereby causing the drive member608 to rotate in the second direction R. That is, when the suppliedtorque load is below the threshold torque load, the first and secondbody portions 2464, 2466 of the slip clutch 2462 rotate in unison sothat rotation of the second carrier 264 is transferred to the drivemember 608, and vice-versa.

Thus arranged, the slip clutch 2462 (e.g., the first and second bodyportions 2464, 2466) may drivingly rotate the drive member 608 untilexcessive torque load occurs. For example, as previously mentioned, whenthe covering 102 is in a fully retracted or closed position, the drivemember 608 may be effectively locked from further rotation in the seconddirection R, such as by engaging portions of the covering 102 (e.g., abottom rail engaging a head rail), among others. Similarly, when thecovering 102 is in a fully extended or opened position, further rotationof the drive member 608 in the first direction E may be limited, such asvia a limit stop or other mechanism. In such instances, user activationof the input assembly 106 can cause the second carrier 264 to rotate inthe second or first direction R, E, respectively, which may cause thetorque load between the first and second body portions 2464, 2466 toexceed the threshold torque supported by the slip clutch 2462, since thesecond body portion 2466 will be held stationary through its interactionwith the drive member 608. Once the threshold torque is exceeded, theslip clutch 2462 slips (e.g., rotation of the first body portion 2464 isnot transmitted into rotation of the second body portion 2466, andvice-versa). As such, rotation of the second carrier 264 is nottransferred to the drive member 608, and vice-versa.

In one non-limiting example embodiment, the threshold torque may beabout 13 inch-pounds, although this may vary depending on the particularapplication, such as the particular size, weight, and/or configurationof the covering. Additionally, by controlling the gear ratio between theslip clutch 2462 and the drive member 608, other aspects of thearchitectural structure covering and/or operating system could becontrolled, for example, speed ratio, mechanical advantage, etc. Theslip clutch 2462 may be any slip clutch now known or hereafterdeveloped. In one embodiment, the slip clutch 2462 may be a TI-300series Torque Insert offered and sold by Reell Precision ManufacturingCorporation.

It will be appreciated that at least some of the above-describedembodiments allow an operator or user of the described operating system100 to pull on the drive cord 334 to cause the covering 102 to move intoan extended configuration with minimum effort, such as with a singlepull. In embodiments in which the drive cord 334 automatically retractsinto an inaccessible position, in some instances when the operatorpositions the shifter 118 in its second operating position to effectuatethe gravity drop feature of the covering 102 and then releases thetouchpoint (e.g., wand or handle 340), the touchpoint may be retractedtoo quickly and may inadvertently move the shifter 118 out of itsoperational position for providing the gravity drop feature and into aposition for operating the operating system 100 in another operatingmode. In accordance with another separate and independent aspect of thepresent application, a shift lock feature or mechanism (hereinafter“shift lock” for the sake of convenience without intent to limit) isprovided to maintain the position of the shifter 118 or other componentof an operating system 100 for shifting operation of the operatingsystem 100 from one operating mode to another. Such shift lock may beused in connection with the above-described operating system 100providing a gravity drop feature or other operating systems with morethan one operating mode. In particular, such shift lock mayadvantageously be used with an operating system 100 having anautomatically retracting component which may move the shifter 118inadvertently out of the desired operating position thereof.

One aspect of a shift lock provides selective restriction of movement ofthe shifter 118 in at least one of the shifter's operating positions.For instance, it generally may be desirable to restrict movement of theshifter 118 during movement of the architectural covering 102 in adesired direction so that the desired movement will be achieved. Inparticular, if the desired movement is to be achieved by minimal effortby the operator, then it may be particularly desirable for movement ofthe covering 102 to be completed without obstruction after such movementhas been initiated. In one embodiment, the shift lock restricts movementof the shifter 118 upon moving the shifter 118 into a selected operatingposition. For instance, in an operating system in which the touchpointis moved substantially vertically for operation in one mode and is movedsubstantially towards the operator (at angle away from the covering 102)for operation in another mode, the shift lock restricts the shifter 118to remain in one of the positions at least until the selected operationin that selected position is complete. For instance, as described above,movement of the touchpoint to release the covering 102 into the extendedconfiguration involves moving the touchpoint away from the covering 102,and a shift lock in accordance with this disclosure may maintain theshifter 118 in the position for release of the covering 102 into theextended configuration until the covering 102 has been fully extended.

In accordance with one aspect of the shift lock, once the desiredrestriction of the shifter 118 has been achieved, the shift lock may bereleased to allow uninhibited or unrestricted movement of the shifter118, or may move into another position restricting movement of theshifter 118 in a different position for a different operating mode. Forinstance, once the covering 102 is extended across the architecturalstructure/feature, the shift lock may be released to allow repositioningof the shifter 118 to another operating position to operate the covering102 in a different operating mode, such as opening the covering 102and/or retracting the covering 102, among others. For instance, once thecovering 102 is extended across the architectural structure/feature adesired amount (e.g., fully extended, partially extended, etc.), theshift lock may be released to allow the shifter 118 to be moved from itssecond operating position to its first operating position. Once theshift lock is released, the shifter 118 may be moved between its firstand second operating positions in an unrestricted manner.

A shift lock formed in accordance with principles of the presentdisclosure may include a selective bearing with a moveable elementmoving in a groove or race or track (hereinafter “groove” for the sakeof simplicity without intent to limit). In a movement-restrictingposition, the bearing functions as an obstruction element configured toobstruct movement of the shifter from moving out of a selected operatingposition. In one embodiment, the obstruction element is an elementbridging across the shifter and another element, such as an element withrespect to which the shifter otherwise moves (when the obstructionelement is not obstructing movement of the shifter), such as the endcap. For instance, the obstruction element may be a ball, a donut-shapedmember, or any other suitable element configured to extend between theshifter and the end cap to selectively restrict movement of the shifterrelative to the end cap.

An operating element may move the moveable element (e.g., automatically)into a restricting position, holding the shifter in such position untilthe operating element is moved in a different direction to effect adifferent operation. For instance, the retractable drive cord may pullthe moveable element into a first position in which the moveable elementrestricts movement of the shifter from moving out of the extension mode.The drive cord may be moved in a second, different direction to operatethe operating element in a different mode, and may move the shift lockinto a second configuration. In one embodiment, movement of the drivecord in a second direction moves a moveable element of the shift lockinto a second configuration or position. In one embodiment, when theshift lock is in the second configuration, the shifter is free to movein more than one direction (in contrast with the first configurationdescribed above in which the shifter is constrained to stay in theposition in which the shifter allows the operating system to operate inthe second operating mode). In an embodiment in which the shift lockincludes a movable element in a track, the track may be configured toallow the moveable element not to interfere with movement of the shifterand/or movement of the drive cord.

It will be appreciated that the operator of the operating system withsuch a shift lock may not be aware of the operation of the shift lock atall if the operator's movement of the drive cord places the obstructionelement into the movement-restricting position as the shifter is movedinto a position for operating in an operating mode in which the operatormay not want to hold the shifter for an extended time, yet in which theoperator intends the shifter to remain to complete the desired operationafter the operator has released the shifter. In one embodiment,placement of the shift lock into a movement-restricting position may beconsidered substantially automatic upon moving the shifter into theaccompanying operating mode position. And, in one embodiment, movementof the shifter to operate in a different operating mode may cause theshift lock to move into a different position without intended, separateinput from the operator.

FIGS. 25-32 illustrate an embodiment of an operating system 2100including a shift lock feature or mechanism (hereinafter “shift lock”for the sake of simplicity, without intent to limit). With the exceptionof the description that follows, the operating system 2100 is similar tothe operating systems 100, 600, 1100, 1600, 2600 and their associateddescriptions above, and the features of the operating system 2100discussed below may be added to the embodiments of the operating systems100, 600, 1100, 1600, 2600 discussed above, or vice-versa. Thus, incertain instances, descriptions of like features will not be discussedwhen they would be apparent to those with skill in the art. For ease ofreference, like structure is represented with appropriately incrementedreference numbers.

As noted above, the operating system 2100 illustrated in FIGS. 25-32includes a shift lock, such as a shift lock assembly 500, arranged tolimit inadvertent movement (e.g., shifting) of the shifter 2118 betweenits operating positions, such as limiting undesirable movement of theshifter 2118 out of a selected operating position to a differentposition in which the operating system 2100 operates in a differentoperating mode. For instance, the shift lock may limit inadvertentshifting of the operating system 2100 from an operating mode notrequiring user input (e.g., a gravity drop mode) to a mode requiringuser input. In one embodiment, the shift lock may limit inadvertentmovement of the shifter 2118 from its second operating position to itsfirst operating position during operation of the covering 102. Forexample, a swinging action of the handle 2340 may cause the shifter 2118to inadvertently move the shifter 2118 from its second operatingposition to its first operating position. The swinging action of thehandle 2340 may be caused by a user releasing the drive cord 2334 and/orthe handle 2340 (either inadvertently or otherwise) after positioningthe shifter 2118 in its second operating position (e.g., to effectuatethe gravity drop feature of the covering 102). In some embodiments, theswinging action of the handle 2340 may be exaggerated by the automaticretraction of the handle 2340 towards the end cap 2408 via the springmotor 2330. If it is desired to shift the shifter 2118 between itsoperating positions, a user may manipulate the shift lock assembly 500to permit shifting of the shifter 2118, as explained below.

Referring to FIGS. 25-32, the shift lock assembly 500 includes theshifter 2118, the end cap 2408, and an obstruction element 510positioned to engage the shifter 2118 and the end cap 2408 in aselectively locking configuration. As described below, the shift lockassembly 500 is operable to limit movement of the shifter 2118 relativeto the end cap 2408 to limit inadvertent shifting of the shifter 2118between its operating positions, such as via the obstruction element510. For example, the obstruction element 510 may be arranged to provideselective obstruction between the shifter 2118 and the end cap 2408 toselectively limit movement of the shifter 2118 (e.g., lateral sliding orpivoting movement of the shifter 2118) relative to the end cap 2408. Theobstruction element 510 may take on substantially any form or shape,including without limitation spherical, torus (donut-shaped),cylindrical, polyhedron, or the like. To that end, the obstructionelement 510 may be a ball bearing, a cylindrical rod, or any othercommercial or custom-built member.

The shifter 2118 may include a channel 520 (see FIG. 26) defined thereinto receive at least a portion of the obstruction element 510 (see FIGS.30 and 31). As shown in FIG. 26, the channel 520 may be defined in thefirst portion 2400 of the shifter 2118, such as adjacent the firstprotrusion 2404, though the channel 520 may be defined in other portionsof the shifter 2118 (e.g., within the second portion 2402). The channel520 may include a length defined between upper and lower walls 522, 524and a transverse width defined between opposing sidewalls 526. The drivecord 2334 may be routed through the channel 520 in the shifter 2118 (seeFIGS. 30 and 31). For example, the drive cord 2334 may be routed throughthe upper wall 522, the channel 520, and the lower wall 524 (see FIG.31). In such embodiments, the channel 520 may be dimensioned to allowmovement of the obstruction element 510 along the length of the channel520 (e.g., between the upper and lower walls 522, 524) whilesimultaneously limiting movement of the obstruction element 510 alongthe width of the channel 520. For instance, the width of the channel 520may be dimensioned to closely match the width of the obstruction element510 to limit movement of the obstruction element 510 to only along thelength of the channel 520.

As described more fully below, the channel 520 may be dimensioned toallow selective movement of the obstruction element 510 therein toselectively limit movement of the shifter 2118 relative to the end cap2408. For example, movement of the obstruction element 510 to a firstposition 528 (see FIG. 26) of the channel 520 (e.g., to a lower portionof the channel 520) may permit movement of the shifter 2118 relative tothe end cap 2408 (see FIGS. 27 and 28). Conversely, movement of theobstruction element 510 to a second position 530 (see FIG. 26) of thechannel 520 (e.g., to an upper portion of the channel 520) may limitmovement of the shifter 2118 relative to the end cap 2408 (see FIG. 29),as described below.

As illustrated in FIG. 25, a track 540 may be defined in the end cap2408, such as in the inner surface 2410 of the end cap 2408, to receiveat least a portion of the obstruction element 510 therein. The track 540may include a first track portion 542 and a second track portion 544.Depending on the particular application, the first and second trackportions 542, 544 may extend at various angles relative to each other.In one embodiment, the first and second track portions 542, 544 may beoriented relative to each other to define a wall 546 therebetween. Forinstance, the first and second track portions 542, 544 may extend at anacute angle relative to each other to define a V-shaped track, aU-shaped track, among others, with the wall 546 defined between thefirst and second track portions 542, 544. As described below, selectivepositioning of the obstruction element 510 within the first trackportion 542 may permit movement of the shifter 2118 relative to the endcap 2408. Conversely, selective positioning of the obstruction element510 within the second track portion 544 may limit movement of theshifter 2118 relative to the end cap 2408. In one embodiment, the track540 may be defined in the inner surface 2410 of the end cap 2408adjacent to the guide 2420, such as above the opening 2430 definedbetween the inner surface 2410 and the guide 2420.

As shown in FIG. 31, once the operating system 2100 is assembled foroperation, the obstruction element 510 may be positioned at leastpartially between the shifter 2118 and the end cap 2408, such asextending between the shifter 2118 and the end cap 2408, to selectivelyinhibit movement of the shifter 2118 relative to the end cap 2408. In apreferred embodiment, the obstruction element 510 is positioned at leastpartially within the channel 520 defined in the shifter 2118 and atleast partially within the track 540 defined in the end cap. Variousportions of the obstruction element 510 may be positioned within thechannel 520 and the track 540. For example, in one embodiment,approximately ½ of the obstruction element 510 may be positioned withinthe channel 520, and approximately ½ of the obstruction element 510 maybe positioned within the track 540, though other configurations arecontemplated. For example, more of the obstruction element 510 may bepositioned in one of the channel 520 and the track 540 (e.g., morewithin the track 540, or vice-versa). Additionally or alternatively,less than ½ of the obstruction element 510 may be positioned within thechannel 520, and less than ½ of the obstruction element 510 may bepositioned within the track 540. In each of the above embodiments,however, relative movement, such as relative transverse slidingmovement, of the shifter 2118 relative to the end cap 2408 may belimited by positioning a portion of the obstruction element 510 withinboth the channel 520 and the track 540. For example, movement of theshifter 2118 relative to the end cap 2408 may be limited by engagementof the obstruction element 510 with portions of the shifter 2118 and theend cap 2408 defining the channel 520 and the track 540, respectively,as described in more detail below.

Movement of the obstruction element 510 within the track 540 and thechannel 520 may be controlled via the drive cord 2334. For instance, thedrive cord 2334 may be routed within the channel 520 of the shifter 2118such that movement of the drive cord 2334 causes movement of theobstruction element 510. The drive cord 2334 may move the obstructionelement 510 via a frictional engagement between the drive cord 2334 andthe obstruction element 510. The drive cord 2334 may be routed to extendadjacent or through the obstruction element 510 to provide a degree offrictional engagement between the drive cord 2334 and the obstructionelement 510. For example, in embodiments where the obstruction element510 is a ball bearing, the drive cord 2334 may be routed to curve aroundthe obstruction element 510 (see FIG. 31). In embodiments where theobstruction element 510 is annular (e.g., donut-shaped or a toroid), thedrive cord 2334 may be routed through the obstruction element 510 (seeFIGS. 33 and 34). To increase the frictional engagement between thedrive cord 2334 and the obstruction element 510 in annular embodiments,the obstruction element 510 may be oriented transverse to thelongitudinal axis of the drive cord 2334 such that the drive cord 2334is routed around a lower portion of the obstruction element 510, throughthe obstruction element 510, and then around an opposite side of anupper portion of the obstruction element 510 to provide a desiredfrictional engagement between the drive cord 2334 and the obstructionelement 510. In each of the embodiments described herein, the frictionalengagement between the drive cord 2334 and the obstruction element 510is sufficient to move the obstruction element 510 within the channel 520in the direction in which the drive cord 2334 is moving as the drivecord 2334 slides or rubs against a surface of the obstruction element510. For instance, downward movement of the drive cord 2334 causes theobstruction element 510 to move downwardly. Conversely, upward movementof the drive cord 2334 causes the obstruction element 510 to moveupwardly.

In some embodiments, the tolerances between the shifter 2118, the drivecord 2334, the obstruction element 510, and the end cap 2408 may be suchto create an interference fit between the elements. For instance, thechannel 520 and the track 540 may be dimensioned such that the drivecord 2334 is partially compressed between the shifter 2118 and theobstruction element 510. Such an interference fit between the elementsmay facilitate the obstruction element 510 remaining in a set position,such as in a position locking movement of the shifter 2118 relative tothe end cap 2408, absent movement of the drive cord 2334, as describedmore fully below.

Portions of the track 540 may be dimensioned to reduce the interferencefit between the elements. For example, a dwell 548 may be formed as partof the first track portion 542 (e.g., as a terminal end portion of thefirst track portion 542), and the dwell 548 may be dimensioned to permitmovement of the drive cord 2334 relative to the obstruction element 510when the obstruction element 510 is positioned within the dwell 548 (seeFIGS. 25 and 27). For example, without limitation, the dwell 548 may besized larger, such as including a greater depth, width, or area withinthe inner surface 2410 of the end cap 2408, than other portions of thetrack 540 to decrease the frictional engagement between the obstructionelement 510 and the drive cord 2334 when the obstruction element 510 ispositioned within the dwell 548. Such a configuration may allow thedrive cord 2334 to move substantially freely relative to the obstructionelement 510 to limit binding of the drive cord 2334 with the obstructionelement 510, which may be beneficial during highly repetitive andgrossly controlled movement of the covering 102 (e.g., during retractionof the covering 102).

Operation of the shift lock assembly 500 will now be discussed in moredetail with reference to FIGS. 27-29. Referring to FIG. 27, theobstruction element 510 may be positioned within the first track portion542, such as within the dwell 548, when the shifter 2118 is positionedin its first operating position allowing retraction of the covering 102upon actuation of the drive cord 2334. In accordance with one aspect ofthe present disclosure, the dwell 548 provides space for the obstructionelement 510 to move as the drive cord 2334 moves up and down to retractthe covering 102. For example, the dwell 548 may be sized and shaped toallow the drive cord 2334 to move up and down within the channel 520 ofthe shifter 2118 without obstruction from the obstruction element 510.The first track portion 542 may extend at an angle to the shifter 2118to permit the obstruction element 510 to move within the first trackportion 542 as the shifter 2118 is moved (shifted) from the firstoperating position (see FIG. 27) to the second operating position (seeFIGS. 28 and 29). For example, the first track portion 542 may bedesigned to follow the arc angle defined by the obstruction element 510as the shifter 2118 moves between its first and second operatingpositions. In this manner, the shift lock assembly 500 may permit theshifter 2118 to move freely from its first operating position to itssecond operating position.

To move the shifter 2118 to its second operating position, a user maypull the drive cord 2334 away from the operating system 2100 (e.g.,towards the user), such as via the handle 2340, thereby moving the firstportion 2400 of the shifter 2118 away from the transmission 2112 untilthe shifter 2118 is seated in its second operating position. Movement ofthe shifter 2118 from the first operating position to the secondoperating position may cause a length of the drive cord 2334 to bepulled through the channel 520, thereby rotating the spring motor 2330and thus creating a bias in the spring motor 2330 to retract the lengthof the drive cord 2334 back through the shifter 2118.

During movement of the shifter 2118 to its second operating position,the obstruction element 510 moves from the first track portion 542 tothe second track portion 544 of the track 540, with the obstructionelement 510 positioned in the first portion 528 of the channel 520 (seeFIG. 28). The user may then release the handle 2340 or otherwise permitmovement of the drive cord 2334 towards the spring motor 2330 to retractthrough the channel 520 the length of the drive cord 2334 that waspulled through the channel 520 in shifting the shifter 2118 from itsfirst operating position to its second operating position. Because ofthe friction engagement between the drive cord 2334 and the obstructionelement 510, retraction of the drive cord 2334 through the channel 520under the bias of the spring motor 2330 causes the obstruction element510 to move (e.g., upwardly) from its first position 528 in the channel520 to its second position 530 in the channel 520 (see FIG. 29). Asnoted above, an interference fit between the obstruction element 510 andthe drive cord 2334 causes the obstruction element 510 to remain in thesecond position 530 in the channel 520 of the shifter 2118 when thedrive cord 2334 is retracted, such as via friction between theobstruction element 510 and the drive cord 2334 inhibiting movement ofthe obstruction element 510 towards the first position 528 in thechannel 520 without corresponding downward movement of the drive cord2334. The obstruction element 510, may move up and down within thesecond track portion 544 of the end cap 2408 and within the channel 520of the shifter 2118 as the drive cord 2334 moves up and down within thechannel 520 as the user cycles the transmission 2112 between the powerand reset strokes to open the covering 102. Once the shifter 2118 ispositioned in its second operating position, the channel 520 of theshifter 2118 may be aligned (e.g., parallel) with the second trackportion 544 of the end cap 2408 to limit inadvertent shifting of theshifter 2118 out of its second operating position. In one embodiment,the parallel alignment of the channel 520 and the second track portion544 may facilitate the up and down movement of the obstruction element510 within the second track portion 544 and the channel 520 as the usermoves the drive cord 2334, such as to open the covering 102 and/or tomove the shifter 2118 to its first operating position, as describedbelow.

Once the obstruction element 510 is positioned in the second trackportion 544 of the end cap 2408 and the second position 530 in thechannel 520, the shifter 2118 is limited from moving relative to the endcap 2408 towards its first operating position. In particular, the limitwall 546 limits the obstruction element 510 from moving in a directiontransverse to the channel 520 and the track 540, thereby limitingmovement of the shifter 2118 relative to the end cap 2408 (see FIG. 29,for instance). For example, the limit wall 546 may block the obstructionelement 510 from moving along the arc of travel of the shifter 2118 inmoving between the second operating position and the first operatingposition. In this manner, the shift lock assembly 500 is operable tolimit inadvertent shifting of the shifter 2118 when the obstructionelement 510 is positioned in the second track portion 544 of the end cap2408 and the second position 530 in the channel 520. As such, the shiftlock assembly 500 is operable to limit shifting of the shifter 2118 whenthe cord is moving (or is moved) towards the operating system 2100, suchas upwardly under the retraction bias of the spring motor 2330. Such aconfiguration may be advantageous to prevent shifting of the shifter2118 when a user is not providing input to the operating system 2100,such as after moving (e.g., clicking) the shifter 2118 to its secondoperating position and walking away from the covering 102 while thecovering 102 gravity drops across the architectural structure/feature.

To move the shifter 2118 to its first operating position, theobstruction element 510 is positioned in the first track portion 542 ofthe end cap 2408. For example, the user moves the drive cord 2334towards the operating system 2100 (e.g., away from the user), such asvia the handle 2340. In one embodiment, movement of the drive cord 2334to shift the shifter 2118 to its first operating position causes alength of the drive cord 2334 to be pulled through the channel 520,thereby moving the obstruction element 510 from its second position 530in the channel 520 to its first position 528 in the channel 520. Oncethe obstruction element 510 is positioned in its first position 528 inthe channel 520, the interference between the obstruction element 510and the track 540 is reduced or removed (e.g., the obstruction element510 clears the limit wall 546) to permit the obstruction element 510 tomove within the first track portion 542. For example, once theobstruction element 510 is positioned in the first portion 528 of thechannel 520 via movement of the drive cord 2334, the obstruction element510 may be free to move within the first track portion 542 from thesecond track portion 544 towards the dwell 548 of the first trackportion 542 to permit the shifter 2118 to move towards its firstoperating position under a lateral bias of the drive cord 2334 on theshifter 2118 directing the first portion 2400 of the shifter 2118towards the transmission 2112. In this manner, the shifter 2118 may moverelative to the end cap 2408 when the obstruction element 510 ispositioned within the first track portion 542. Once the obstructionelement 510 is positioned within the dwell 548, the drive cord 2334 maymove relatively freely within the channel 520 of the shifter 2118 as theuser cycles the transmission 2112 between the power and reset strokes toretract the covering 102.

To restrict the obstruction element 510 from “climbing” the limit wall546 and moving out of the track 540, the end cap 2408 may include aguide 2420 that limits movement of the shifter 2118 (e.g., an end of theshifter) away from the inner surface 2410 of the end cap 2408 (see FIG.31). For example, the guide 2420 may be defined as a bail (see FIG. 30)to support the shifter 2118 during its movement between the first andsecond operating positions. To support the shifter 2118 in each of itsfirst and second operating positions (and in any position therebetween),the guide 2420 may be shaped (e.g., arcuately) to match the arc definedby the movement of the end of the shifter 2118 between the first andsecond operating positions.

The operating system 100, 600, 1100, 1600, 2100, or 2600 and itscomponents may be constructed of substantially any type of material. Forexample, each of the components of the operating system 100, 600, 1100,1600, 2100, or 2600 may be constructed or formed from natural and/orsynthetic materials, including metals, ceramics, plastics, and/or othersuitable materials. Plastic materials may include thermoplastic material(self-reinforced or fiber-reinforced), ABS, polycarbonate,polypropylene, polystyrene, PVC, polyamide, or PTFE, among others. Theoperating system 100, 600, 1100, 1600, 2100, or 2600 may be built,formed, molded, or non-molded in any suitable manner, such as by plugmolding, blow molding, injection molding, milling or the like.

In one embodiment, an operating system for an architectural covering isdisclosed. The operating system may include a first drive sectionincluding an input, a second drive section including an output, and adirectional control mechanism arranged to selectively lock an elementconveying movement between the first and second drive sections tocontrol movement of the output upon actuation of the input.

In one embodiment, the element selectively locked by the directionalcontrol mechanism is a shared element of the first and second drivesections.

The first drive section may include an output, the second drive sectionincludes an input, and the output of the first drive section is theinput of the second drive section. In one embodiment, each of the firstand second drive sections includes a planetary gear set to controlrotation of the output upon rotation of the input.

In one embodiment, the input of the first drive section is arranged torotate in one direction, and the output of the second drive section isarranged to rotate in one of two directions depending on the selectiveengagement of the element conveying movement between the first andsecond drive sections. Engagement with the element conveying movementbetween the first and second drive sections causes the output of thesecond drive section to rotate in a first direction, and rotation of theoutput of the second drive section in the first direction both extendsthe architectural covering across an architectural feature and opens thearchitectural covering once the architectural covering is extended.Disengagement with the element conveying movement between the first andsecond drive sections and engagement of the directional controlmechanism with another element of at least one of the first and seconddrive sections causes the output of the second drive section to rotatein a second direction upon rotation of the input of the first drivesection.

In one embodiment, an operating system for an architectural covering mayinclude a rotatable drive member configured for engagement with acovering winding member, a transmission configured to drivingly rotatethe drive member, and a shifter movable to alternately engage differentportions of the transmission to result in more than two modes ofoperation of the operating system. In a first mode of operation, theoperation system operates to close, to retract, or to both close andretract the covering. In a second mode of operation, the operationsystem operates to allow the covering to extend across an architecturalstructure or feature. In a third mode of operation, the operation systemoperates to open the covering.

In one embodiment, alternate engagement of the shifter with thedifferent portions of the transmission results in different directionsof movement of the drive member upon actuation of the transmission.

In one embodiment, the shifter includes first and second lock portionsconfigured to alternately engage another portion of the transmission.Engagement of the first lock portion with a first portion of thetransmission locks the drive member against rotation in a firstdirection. Engagement of the second lock portion with another portion ofthe transmission locks the drive member against rotation in a seconddirection.

In one embodiment, the shifter pivots about an axis to alternatelyengage the different portions of the transmission. The shifter may bereleasably held in alternate engagement with different parts of thetransmission via a biasing mechanism.

In one embodiment, the operating system may further include an end cap.The biasing mechanism includes first and second magnets. The firstmagnet is secured to the end cap. The second magnet is associated with aportion of the shifter. The first and second magnets are configured torepel away from each other to position the shifter into alternatingengagement with the transmission.

In one embodiment, the transmission includes a first member and a secondmember. The shifter moves to alternatively lock the first and secondmembers against rotation in at least one direction. In one embodiment,the operating system includes an overrunning gear meshingly engaged withthe second member to lock the second member against rotation in at leastone direction when engaged by the shifter. The shifter includes a firstprotrusion operable to selectively engage the first member to lock thefirst member against rotation. The shifter includes a second protrusionoperable to selectively engage the overrunning gear to lock the secondmember against rotation. Engagement of the shifter with the first memberlocks the drive member against rotation in a first direction. Engagementof the shifter with the overrunning gear locks the drive member againstrotation in a second direction, the drive member being free to rotate inthe first direction when the shifter is positioned for engagement withthe overrunning gear.

In one embodiment, the transmission includes first and second drivesections operably coupled together yet individually controlled by theshifter.

In one embodiment, the operating system includes an output arranged todrivingly rotate the drive member, and a clutch mechanism permitting thedrive member to slip relative the output upon application of apredetermined torque load to the clutch mechanism. The clutch mechanismmay include a spring coupled to the output and engageable with the drivemember, the spring arranged to allow movement of the output relative thedrive member at the predetermined torque load.

In one embodiment, the operating system may include an obstructionelement coupled with the shifter to selectively restrict movement of theshifter.

In one embodiment, an operating system for an architectural coveringincludes a transmission including a first member, and a second member, arotatable drive member coupled to the transmission, the drive memberconfigured for engagement with a covering winding member operable toextend or retract the architectural covering upon actuation of thetransmission, the drive member rotatable in a first direction and asecond opposite direction, and a shifter movable between two operatingpositions to alternately engage the first member and the second memberto alter the rotation of the drive member upon actuation of thetransmission.

In one embodiment, the transmission may include a first drive sectionand a second drive section. The first drive section may include a firstsun gear, and a first set of planetary gears meshingly engaged with thefirst sun gear and carried by a first carrier positioning the first setof planetary gears about the first sun gear. The second drive sectionmay include a second sun gear, and a second set of planetary gearsmeshingly engaged with the second sun gear and carried by a secondcarrier positioning the second set of planetary gears about the secondsun gear. The operating system may further include a ring gear meshinglyengaged with both the first set of planetary gears and the second set ofplanetary gears. The second member may include the ring gear.

The second sun gear and at least a portion of the first carrier may beoperably coupled to rotate together. The first member may include atleast a portion of the first carrier.

In one embodiment, the operating system may include an input shaftoperable to drivingly rotate the transmission. The input shaft rotatesin only one direction. The drive member is driven to rotate in the samedirection as the input shaft. The drive member is driven to rotate in adirection opposite rotation of the input shaft. The drive member is freeto rotate with respect to the input shaft.

In one embodiment, movement of the shifter between the operatingpositions changes the rotation direction of the drive member uponactuation of the transmission.

In one embodiment, the operating system may further include an actuationelement operable to rotate the transmission. The actuation elementselectively moves the shifter between the operating positions. Theoperating system may further include a biasing mechanism biasing theshifter to one of the operating positions based on the position of theshifter.

In one embodiment, the operating system may also include an outputarranged to drivingly rotate the drive member, and a clutch mechanismpermitting the drive member to slip relative to the output uponapplication of a predetermined torque load to the clutch mechanism. Theclutch mechanism may include a ratchet mechanism selectively engageablewith the output, the ratchet mechanism permitting selective movement ofthe output relative the ratchet mechanism, and a spring biasing theratchet mechanism into engagement with the output.

In one embodiment, the operating system may further include anobstruction element coupled with the shifter to selectively restrictmovement of the shifter between the two operating positions.

In one embodiment, a covering for an architectural structure or featureis disclosed for use with the operating system. The covering including aroller tube coupled to the drive member, and a shade mounted on theroller tube, the shade movable between extended and retracted positionsupon rotation of the drive member.

In one embodiment, when the shifter is coupled to the first member,actuation of the transmission rotates the drive member in the seconddirection to retract the shade, and when the shifter is coupled to thesecond member, actuation of the transmission rotates the drive member inthe first direction to extend the shade across the architecturalstructure or feature.

The shifter may be coupled to the second member, the drive memberrotates freely in the first direction.

In one embodiment, a method of operating a covering for an architecturalstructure or feature is disclosed. The method including alternatelyengaging first and second members of an operating system via a shifterto rotatably inhibit rotation of either the first member or the secondmember, actuating a transmission when the shifter is engaged to thesecond member to allow rotation of an output of the operating system ina first direction to extend the covering across the architecturalstructure or feature, actuating the transmission when the shifter isengaged to the second member to rotate the output of the operatingsystem in the first direction to open the covering, and actuating thetransmission when the shifter is engaged to the first member to rotatethe output of the operating system in a second direction to close, toretract, or to both close and retract the covering.

In one embodiment, the method may include rotatably driving a drivemember by the transmission. Rotatably driving the transmission may be byan input shaft. Rotation of the input shaft may be limited to only onerotational direction.

In one embodiment, engaging the shifter to an engagement profile on anouter periphery of the first member, the engagement profile providing aresistance to rotation of the first member in the first direction whenengaged by the shifter.

In one embodiment, the method may further include meshingly engaging theshifter to the second member via an overrunning gear, the overrunninggear providing a resistance to rotation of the second member in thesecond direction when engaged by the shifter.

In one embodiment, the method may further include selectively inhibitingmovement of the shifter via an obstruction element coupled with theshifter.

In one embodiment, a method of operating a covering of an architecturalstructure or feature using an operating system is disclosed. The methodmay include operating the operating system in a first manner to retractthe covering across the architectural structure or feature, operatingthe operating system in a second manner to extend the covering acrossthe architectural structure or feature, and operating the operatingsystem in a third manner to open, alter or re-configure the covering toallow viewing through the covering when the covering is in an extendedconfiguration. For example, in one embodiment, in the third manner, theoperating system may alter the covering or shade material between aclosed configuration in which a portion of the covering or shadematerial is operated to block viewing through the covering or shadematerial, and an open configuration in which a portion of the shadematerial is operated to allow viewing through the covering or shadematerial.

In one embodiment, operating the operating system in the first mannerincludes rotating an input of the operating system in a first directionto rotate an output of the operating system in a second direction,operating the operating system in the second manner includes fixing theinput of the operating system against rotation while permitting theoutput of the operating system to rotate in the first direction, andoperating the operating system in the third manner includes rotating theinput of the operating system in the first direction to rotate theoutput of the operating system in the first direction.

In one embodiment, operating the operating system in the first mannerincludes drivingly rotating the covering closed and/or retracted via aretractable cord mechanism, operating the operating system in the secondmanner includes permitting the covering to gravity drop across thearchitectural structure or feature, and operating the operating systemin the third manner includes drivingly rotating the covering open viathe retractable cord mechanism.

In one embodiment, the second and third manners rotate the shade in afirst direction, and the first manner rotates the shade in an oppositesecond direction. Switching between the first, second, and third mannersmay be performed using a shifter.

In one embodiment, operating the operating system includes drivinglyrotating a portion of the operating system using a planetary gearsystem. The second manner includes allowing the covering to drop freelyacross the architectural structure or feature. The planetary gear systemprovides a first drive ratio to operate the operating system in thethird manner. The planetary gear system may provide a second drive ratioto operate the operating system in the first manner, the second driveratio different than the first drive ratio.

In one embodiment, a method of operating an architectural covering isdisclosed. The method includes rotating a first drive section via aninput, rotating a second drive section via an output of the first drivesection, rotating a drive member via an output of the second drivesection, the drive member arranged to control movement of thearchitectural covering, and selectively controlling one or moreselective engagements of the first and second drive sections to controlmovement of the drive member.

Selectively controlling one or more selective engagements of the firstand second drive sections to control movement of the drive memberincludes selectively engaging the first and second drive sections via ashifter.

In one embodiment, the method may also include selectively locking anelement conveying movement between the first and second drive sectionsvia the shifter to selectively control rotation of the drive member.

The method may further include operating a drive cord to provide aninput force to the first and second drive sections. Operating the drivecord in a first manner to close, to retract, or to both close andretract a shade material of the architectural covering, and operatingthe drive cord in a second manner to open the shade material. Operatingthe drive cord in the first manner includes pulling the drive cordstraight down. Operating the drive cord in the second manner includespulling the drive cord away from the architectural structure or featureto which the architectural covering is attached.

In one embodiment, a method of operating an architectural covering isdisclosed. The method includes rotating an output of a transmission in afirst direction to extend the covering at least partially across anarchitectural structure or feature, and once the covering is in anextended position, rotating the output of the transmission in the firstdirection to move the covering into an open configuration, wherein thecovering moves into the open configuration via a slower adjustment forthe same amount of force than extending the covering.

In one embodiment, an operating system for an architectural covering isdisclosed. The operating system includes an input shaft rotating in onlya first direction, and a drive member rotating in one of at least threemodes. The at least three modes including being driven in the firstdirection, being driven in a second direction opposite the firstdirection, and rotating freely with respect to the input shaft.

In one embodiment, the operating system may also include a transmission.The transmission may include first and second drive sections. The firstdrive section may be coupled with the second drive section such thatrotation of a first element of the first drive section rotates a firstelement of the second drive section and locking of the first element ofthe first drive section locks the first element of the second drivesection against rotation. Rotation of a second element of the firstdrive section may rotate a second element of the second drive sectionand locking of the second element of the first drive section locks thesecond element of the second drive section against rotation.

In one embodiment, an operating system for an architectural covering isdisclosed. The operating system includes a transmission for rotating acovering winding member, a shifter movable to alternately engagedifferent portions of the transmission to affect operation of thetransmission, the shifter movable between a first operating position anda second operating position, and an obstruction element adapted toselectively restrict movement of the shifter to remain in one of thefirst and second operating positions. The obstruction element may bemovably received within the shifter.

In one embodiment, a channel may be defined within a portion of theshifter, a track may be defined within a portion of an end cap of thearchitectural covering, and the obstruction element may be movablewithin the channel and the track to selectively restrict movement of theshifter relative to the end cap. The channel and the track aredimensioned to accommodate at least a portion of the obstruction elementtherein.

In one embodiment, the obstruction element is movable between a firstposition in which movement of the shifter between the first and secondoperating positions is permitted and a second position in which movementof the shifter from the one of the first and second operating positionsis restricted. When the obstruction element is positioned in the secondposition, the shifter may be positioned in the second operating positionand the obstruction element restricts the shifter from moving to thefirst operating position.

In one embodiment, the operating system may further include a drive cordfor operating the transmission, and movement of the obstruction elementwithin the track and within the channel is controlled via the drivecord.

In one embodiment, an operating system for an architectural covering isdisclosed. The operating system including a shifter movable between afirst operating position for actuating the operating system to effectmovement of the covering in a first manner, and a second operatingposition for actuating the operating system to effect movement of thecovering in a second manner, and a shift lock operable to restrictmovement of the shifter in the second operating position during movementof the covering in the second manner.

In one embodiment, the first operating position is different from thesecond operating position.

The shift lock may be operable between a first configuration and asecond configuration, the first configuration restricting movement ofthe shifter in the second operating position. The shift lock may includea movable element moveable between a first track at the firstconfiguration, and a second track at the second configuration, themoveable element is constrained to move only in the first track when theshift lock is in the first configuration to retain the shifter in thesecond operating position, and the moveable element allows movement ofthe shifter when the moveable element is in the second track. The secondtrack may include a dwell and the moveable element seats in the dwellwhen the shift lock is in the second configuration. The shifter mayinclude a channel formed therein, the moveable element sits in both thechannel in the shifter and the first track of the shift lock to restrainmovement of the shifter, and the moveable element sits in both thechannel in the shifter and the second track of the shift lock to allowmovement of the shifter. The first track and the second track of theshift lock are formed in an end cap to which the operating element iscoupled. The operating system may further include a retractable drivecord extending through the channel in the shifter, and the retractabledrive cord moves the moveable element into the first track of the shiftlock when the shifter is in the second operating position and the drivecord retracts. The moveable element sits in the dwell, frictionalengagement between the moveable element and the drive cord is decreased.The retractable drive cord moves the moveable element into the secondtrack of the shift lock when the shifter is moved into the firstoperating position.

In one embodiment, the moveable element is a ball.

In one embodiment, the operating system may include a transmissionincluding a first drive section and a second drive section, theoperating system is operable between a first transmission position tooperate the first drive section and a second transmission position tooperate the second drive section, and the shifter is disengaged from thefirst drive section and the second drive section when the shifter is inthe second operating position, and engaged with one of the first drivesection and the second drive section when the shifter is in the firstoperating position. The operating system may release the architecturalcovering into an extended position upon movement of the shifter into thesecond operating position so that no further action beyond moving theshifter into the second operating position is required to move thearchitectural covering from a retracted position to an extendedposition.

In one embodiment, the operating system may further include a slipclutch operatively coupled to the transmission and the rotatable drivemember to prevent excessive torque from being transmitted between thetransmission and the rotatable drive member.

In one embodiment, a method of operating a covering of an architecturalstructure or feature using an operating system is disclosed. The methodmay include operating the operating system in a first manner to retractthe covering across the architectural structure or feature via drivinglyrotating the covering closed and/or retracted via a retractable cordmechanism, operating the operating system in a second manner to extendthe covering across the architectural structure or feature viapermitting the covering to gravity drop across the architecturalstructure or feature, and operating the operating system in a thirdmanner to open, alter or re-configure the covering to allow viewingthrough the covering when the covering is in an extended configurationvia drivingly rotating the covering open via the retractable cordmechanism.

The foregoing description has broad application. It should beappreciated that the concepts disclosed herein may apply to many typesof shades, in addition to the roller shades described and depictedherein. Similarly, it should be appreciated that the concepts disclosedherein may apply to many types of operating systems, in addition to theoperating system 100 described and depicted herein. For example, theconcepts may apply equally to any type of covering having a shadeelement movable across an architectural structure/feature. Thediscussion of any embodiment is meant only to be explanatory and is notintended to suggest that the scope of the disclosure, including theclaims, is limited to these embodiments. In other words, whileillustrative embodiments of the disclosure have been described in detailherein, it is to be understood that the inventive concepts may beotherwise variously embodied and employed, and that the appended claimsare intended to be construed to include such variations, except aslimited by the prior art.

The foregoing discussion has been presented for purposes of illustrationand description and is not intended to limit the disclosure to the formor forms disclosed herein. For example, various features of thedisclosure are grouped together in one or more aspects, embodiments, orconfigurations for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. However,it should be understood that various features of the certain aspects,embodiments, or configurations of the disclosure may be combined inalternate aspects, embodiments, or configurations. Moreover, thefollowing claims are hereby incorporated into this Detailed Descriptionby this reference, with each claim standing on its own as a separateembodiment of the present disclosure.

The phrases “at least one”, “one or more”, and “and/or”, as used herein,are open-ended expressions that are both conjunctive and disjunctive inoperation. The term “a” or “an” entity, as used herein, refers to one ormore of that entity. As such, the terms “a” (or “an”), “one or more” and“at least one” can be used interchangeably herein. All directionalreferences (e.g., proximal, distal, upper, lower, upward, downward,left, right, lateral, longitudinal, front, back, top, bottom, above,below, vertical, horizontal, radial, axial, clockwise, andcounterclockwise) are only used for identification purposes to aid thereader's understanding of the present disclosure, and do not createlimitations, particularly as to the position, orientation, or use ofthis disclosure. Connection references (e.g., attached, coupled,connected, and joined) are to be construed broadly and may includeintermediate members between a collection of elements and relative tomovement between elements unless otherwise indicated. As such,connection references do not necessarily infer that two elements aredirectly connected and in fixed relation to each other. Identificationreferences (e.g., primary, secondary, first, second, third, fourth,etc.) are not intended to connote importance or priority, but are usedto distinguish one feature from another. The drawings are for purposesof illustration only and the dimensions, positions, order and relativeto sizes reflected in the drawings attached hereto may vary.

What is claimed is:
 1. An operating system for an architecturalcovering, said operating system comprising: a rotatable drive memberconfigured for engagement with a covering winding member; a transmissionconfigured to drivingly rotate said drive member; and a shifter movableto alternately engage different portions of said transmission to resultin more than two modes of operation of said operating system.
 2. Theoperating system of claim 1, wherein: in a first mode of operation, theoperation system operates to close, to retract, or to both close andretract the covering; and in a second mode of operation, the operationsystem operates to allow the covering to extend across an architecturalstructure or feature.
 3. The operating system of claim 2, wherein in athird mode of operation, the operation system operates to open thecovering.
 4. The operating system of claim 1, wherein the alternateengagement of said shifter with said different portions of saidtransmission results in different directions of movement of said drivemember upon actuation of said transmission.
 5. The operating system ofclaim 1, wherein: said shifter comprises first and second lock portionsconfigured to alternately engage another portion of said transmission;engagement of said first lock portion with a first portion of saidtransmission locks said drive member against rotation in a firstdirection; and engagement of said second lock portion with anotherportion of said transmission locks said drive member against rotation ina second direction.
 6. The operating system of claim 1, wherein saidshifter pivots about an axis to alternately engage said differentportions of said transmission.
 7. The operating system of claim 1,wherein said shifter is releasably held in alternate engagement withdifferent parts of said transmission via a biasing mechanism.
 8. Theoperating system of claim 7, further comprising an end cap, wherein:said biasing mechanism includes first and second magnets; said firstmagnet is secured to said end cap; said second magnet is associated witha portion of said shifter; and said first and second magnets areconfigured to repel away from each other to position said shifter intoalternating engagement with said transmission.
 9. The operating systemof claim 1, wherein: said transmission comprises a first member and asecond member; and said shifter moves to alternatively lock said firstand second members against rotation in at least one direction.
 10. Theoperating system of claim 9, further comprising an overrunning gearmeshingly engaged with said second member to lock said second memberagainst rotation in at least one direction when engaged by said shifter.11. The operating system of claim 9, wherein: said shifter includes afirst protrusion operable to selectively engage said first member tolock said first member against rotation; and said shifter includes asecond protrusion operable to selectively engage said overrunning gearto lock said second member against rotation.
 12. The operating system ofclaim 9, wherein: engagement of said shifter with said first memberlocks said drive member against rotation in a first direction; andengagement of said shifter with said overrunning gear locks said drivemember against rotation in a second direction, the drive member beingfree to rotate in said first direction when said shifter is positionedfor engagement with said overrunning gear.
 13. The operating system ofclaim 1, wherein said transmission comprises first and second drivesections operably coupled together yet individually controlled by saidshifter.
 14. The operating system of claim 1, further comprising: anoutput arranged to drivingly rotate said drive member; and a clutchmechanism permitting said drive member to slip relative said output uponapplication of a predetermined torque load to said clutch mechanism. 15.The operating system of claim 14, wherein said clutch mechanismcomprises a spring coupled to said output and engageable with said drivemember, said spring arranged to allow movement of said output relativesaid drive member at the predetermined torque load.
 16. The operatingsystem of claim 1, further comprising an obstruction element coupledwith said shifter to selectively restrict movement of said shifter. 17.The operating system of claim 1, wherein said transmission comprises afirst drive section and a second drive section.
 18. The operating systemof claim 17, wherein each of said first and second drive sectionscomprises a planetary gear set to control rotation of said rotatabledrive member upon rotation of said transmission.
 19. The operatingsystem of claim 17, wherein: said first drive section comprises: a firstsun gear; and a first set of planetary gears meshingly engaged with saidfirst sun gear and carried by a first carrier positioning said first setof planetary gears about said first sun gear; and said second drivesection comprises: a second sun gear; and a second set of planetarygears meshingly engaged with said second sun gear and carried by asecond carrier positioning said second set of planetary gears about saidsecond sun gear.
 20. The operating system of claim 19, furthercomprising a ring gear meshingly engaged with both said first set ofplanetary gears and said second set of planetary gears.
 21. Theoperating system of claim 14, wherein said clutch mechanism comprises aslip clutch coupled to said output and engageable with said drivemember, said slip clutch arranged to allow movement of said outputrelative said drive member at or below said predetermined torque load.22. The operating system of claim 21, wherein said slip clutch includesa first body portion and a second body portion, said first and secondbody portions being adapted and configured: (i) to rotate in unison whenan applied torque is below said predetermine torque load so that saidapplied torque is transmitted from said transmission to said drivemember via said slip clutch, and (ii) to decouple when an applied torqueis above said predetermine torque load so that said applied torque isnot transmitted from said transmission to said drive member via saidslip clutch.
 23. The operating system of claim 22, wherein said outputincludes an opening formed in an end thereof, said opening beingarranged and configured to receive a portion of said first body portionof said slip clutch.
 24. The operating system of claim 22, wherein saidsecond body portion of said slip clutch includes a plurality of ridgesformed thereon for coupling to said drive member.